Dave,

There is a difference in effort between the two. I sailed with the 5 to 1 for years and there were times when it took 2 hands to tighten the sheet. I am sure I don't have the arm strength you do but never found it that tiring. One question- do you have the ratchet on or off on the blocks? With it off the line runs out free and the block turns, with it on the line has to slide over the block which won't turn in that direction. I found that makes a big difference in the effort you have to apply to hold the sheet.

Howard