Choosing the Right Sailing Blocks for Your Boat

24 August 2022

Choosing the Right Sailing Blocks for Your Boat – A block is the nautical term for a pulley, it allows the sailboat to lift heavy loads conveniently. It likewise prevents ropes from rubbing on abrasive surfaces and obtaining damage whenever they reach and go around sharp corners. These functions are possible as the block is comprised of a wheel inside its frame. Once the rope is wrapped around the wheel, it makes the latter’s movement to be smoother without generating too much friction.

Common Types of Blocks

If you currently own a sailboat, you must know the different types of blocks for your marine vessel. Knowing them can help you pinpoint which one you would need to make your sailboat effective and free from issues for a long time.

• Foot Blocks: Foot blocks are installed on the deck and fastened in place with bolts. Their primary purpose is to alter line direction without introducing damage to the sailboat. When using these blocks, one should consider the loads and deflection angles carefully.
• Halyard Blocks: Halyard blocks, alternatively, are created to be attached to the mast base and turning lines. These high load blocks can stagger optimally around the mast.
• Ratchet Blocks: Ratchet blocks have a locking mechanism that prevents the sheave from turning in one direction and allows free spinning in the other direction, this allows you to pull on and hold higher loads effectively with minimal pulling effort required. They can likewise provide enhanced control over trimmed sheets or control lines.
• Snatch Blocks: Snatch blocks feature components that allow users to open the side of the block in various methods to enable quick and easy removal and installation of line, without having to pull the line all the way out or in from the end.

Selecting the Right Blocks

When selecting the right blocks for your sailboat, you must thoroughly consider numerous factors. These factors include the following.

• Rigging Size: One of the factors in selecting your blocks is the size of your rigging components. The size of your halyards and sheets should be considered thoroughly as they can affect the expected forces and the resulting working and breaking loads of the blocks. Choosing blocks that are too small for your large rigs will only lead to damage, especially when you are sailing on rough seas or extreme weather conditions. Fortunately, you can check the maximum tensile force the blocks can withstand and match them to your existing rigs.
• Rope Diameter: Another factor to consider in choosing your blocks is the rope diameter. Knowing the overall cross-section of your ropes can help you find blocks with compatible sheave width to prevent wear and other damages. These things may also be prevented if the blocks have a high load-bearing capacity, matching the diameter of your existing ropes.
• Other Characteristics: Other characteristics to consider when purchasing blocks is their materiality; plastic or metal, plastic is for lower loads and metal is for higher loads. Plain bearing and ball bearings are other features to consider, plain is cheaper and ball bearings help blocks to feature less friction. Other physical feature could also include; swivels, multiple sheaves, no swivel, a becket, cleats, soft loops or shackles for example.

If you need quality blocks for your yacht, you can contact us at Riggtech. We offer a wide variety of blocks from Harken, Ronstan, Selden, and Wichard that can be useful for your beloved marine vessel.

Feel free to browse our ONLINE SHOP for all your sailing needs.

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