On Sun, 4 Apr 2004 23:01:09 -0700, "Steve" wrote:

I've read a few books by Don Street and have a couple sailing videos of his
as well. I respect his knowledge while I consider him a bit excentric. His
boats and sailing gear and methods always seem well on to the "Salty Side"
of the scale. One thing for sure, "Don doesn't have to explain" why he does
the things he does when it comes to onboard routines". At least that's the
impression I get..

I have watched his sailing video of one of his Atlantic crossing on "Isle
Aire" with a crew that seemed to worship him and his ways.

One thing from that video that leaves me with a question that I haven't been
able to resolve.

Don, goes on a rant about someone putting a figure "8" Stopper Knot in the
end of a sheet. Something I have been doing for 40 years of sailing. To me,
it keeps the lazy sheet from being pulled through the sheet lead block.
Anyway, if there was a reason for "not" putting a Stopper Knot in the sheet
end, it must have been edited out of the footage I have seen and no where in
his books does he mentions a reason (that I can recall).

How about it, can anyone persuade me not to put a Stopper Knot in my
sheets??

(You see, I'm getting old and grouchy to.)

Also old and grouchy, I do put stoppers on the jib sheets, but never
on the spinnaker sheets/guys.

It may be necessary in extremis to let the spinnaker fly, but the jib
can be released without losing the end of the sheet.



Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a


"Wanting to meet a writer because you like his work is like wanting to meet a duck because you like pate."
Margaret Atwood