Elan 320 testsail

Question about mainsheet fine-tuner

Margie seems to be having some issues with the mainsheet fine-tuner, in their own words:

Our mainsheet fine tuner does not work to well.
It can be pulled on but it will not feed out even in winds over 20 knots
We have adjusted the cleat angle and fitted slightly thinner rope but nothing is working
Any suggestions.

I don't have this problem, it pulls easily and feeds out nicely, so this sounds strange. Could it be that there is too much chafing on the rope or that the rope has been threaded in a wrong way through the blocks? Not really too many variables here, either, so this is a bit mysterious. Have you tested to see if the blocks actually "backtrack" or if they are somehow "locked", ticking only one way?

Anyone else have this issue that could comment?

New update from down under

Margie writes us again from down under:

Hi Thomas 
I hope you had a good summer sailing season and 
all went well in your races
We have just completed our winter sailing program
and are moving into our spring, summer season
During winter we sail once a week (weather permitting)
Over spring, summer we are on day light savings time and sail 
3 days of the week.
Since we last wrote we have sailed in both full crewed (6 on board)
and two handed events, with a few seconds overall.
We do not complain about our ratings anymore as no one listens and
all we get back is," you have a fast little boat so get use to it."
For the last 4 months we have been lucky to be coached by an European Dragon champion
who is our here. (He is French but his english is good except on boating terms)
He is getting us to do lots of practice and different kite sets and drops
One club race he made us match race one of our rivals which annoyed the hell out of the other boat.
(we one by 4 seconds)
Our Sydney sister boat is finding her feet and is showing good form 
The Elan brand here is well regarded and respected but most boat owners will buy the French boats
and complain when we beat them

Awesome, Margie. Too bad about the rating, but good to hear that you beat the others occasionally! :)

Like you say - here we are preparing for winter, so the season is over, always nice to hear from other parts of the world where sailing continues. :)