Blocks

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2bish said..
I need to replace a set of triple blocks on my backstay. Approx 55mm sheaves I think, they must be ball bearing and one needs a cam cleat. Where's the smart money and cheapest supplier in your collective opinion?

Might not need ball bearings for a backstay. Check the specs, plain sheaves may be stronger.

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2bish said..

Ramona said..

2bish said..
I need to replace a set of triple blocks on my backstay. Approx 55mm sheaves I think, they must be ball bearing and one needs a cam cleat. Where's the smart money and cheapest supplier in your collective opinion?

Might not need ball bearings for a backstay. Check the specs, plain sheaves may be stronger.

Hi Ramona, The original ones are plain shaft, they've deformed a bit over the years. My rigger recommended going ball bearing as I'm pulling on a lot more with my new, larger headsail, and he reckons the sheaves are probably deforming a bit on the shaft and causing friction also. I looked at some Barton ones last night on Deckhardware, but I noticed this morning that they're all on backorder (Suez Canal victims?).

Barton is brand new to our range at the end of last year, so we are slowly growing what stock we are holding based on demand. Happy to chat via our live chat or give us a call. We always say speak to your rigger as they know your boats and we don't so that makes it easier!

Just an interesting one,

A few years ago I replaced the main on my cat and wanted to beef up the sheeting system as well.
Whilst researching options, I found the existing Ronstan triple block actually had been the subject of a recall, due to an issue with the block.
I contacted Ronstan, not expecting much as the gear would have been at least 10 years old.

They said that it would be replaced, as part of the recall.
I paid prorata to upgrade to the gear that I needed.
So for the price of only 1/2 a Kidney, I got a new triple block mainsheet system, and some bling mainsheet line.

Thats Good customer service to me, and i've since paid the karma back with all new Ronstan open turnbuckles with the last rerig.

carry on.

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2bish said..

animusmh12 said..

2bish said..

Ramona said..

2bish said..
I need to replace a set of triple blocks on my backstay. Approx 55mm sheaves I think, they must be ball bearing and one needs a cam cleat. Where's the smart money and cheapest supplier in your collective opinion?

Might not need ball bearings for a backstay. Check the specs, plain sheaves may be stronger.

Hi Ramona, The original ones are plain shaft, they've deformed a bit over the years. My rigger recommended going ball bearing as I'm pulling on a lot more with my new, larger headsail, and he reckons the sheaves are probably deforming a bit on the shaft and causing friction also. I looked at some Barton ones last night on Deckhardware, but I noticed this morning that they're all on backorder (Suez Canal victims?).

Barton is brand new to our range at the end of last year, so we are slowly growing what stock we are holding based on demand. Happy to chat via our live chat or give us a call. We always say speak to your rigger as they know your boats and we don't so that makes it easier!

Are you with Deckhardware? The ones I looked at on your site that were suitable were marked as backorder?

Yep I am DeckHardware, as a distributor we list all products on our website. We are growing our stock holdings and can of course get things in for you. Your Rigger is likely a trade customer of ours so can also get them for you.

I have these Fico/Ronstan Offshore 100 blocks (100 mm dia sheaves) made of unobtainium that I want to see go to a good home.
The two double blocks, one with becket have never been used in anger.
Of the two singles, one has a swivel head but niether has had the use they deserve.
All have bronze bushes and are dismantleable which enables rebushing and all will carry up to 16 mm line.
PM if interested. The $50 shackles are included

I don't think the $$ you save going online for certain equipment is worth the piece of mind. I have found the Doyle loft in battery point really helpful (well above what they're obliged to do) and good value - very competitive with online prices. PJ's are also pretty good. Whitworths are ok too. The value of supporting your local chandlers, in my mind, outweighs the few dollars you may save - especially if there is an issue with the equipment... of course there'll always be exceptions.

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cisco said..
I have these Fico/Ronstan Offshore 100 blocks (100 mm dia sheaves) made of unobtainium that I want to see go to a good home.
The two double blocks, one with becket have never been used in anger.
Of the two singles, one has a swivel head but niether has had the use they deserve.
All have bronze bushes and are dismantleable which enables rebushing and all will carry up to 16 mm line.
PM if interested. The $50 shackles are included

Nice beefy kit, but I need triples, thanks.

As you've found it's impossible for our stockists to hold our full range on the shelf. It's hard for us with a new brand as you've seen. Let alone chandleries holding stock from all the different brands available via distributors like me.That's why I suggested talking to your rigger who knows what you're after. Now I know where you are you've got some great chandleries who can help you source a part.

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Ramona said..
Chandlers can not afford to keep all the stock, there is a hell of a lot of money tied up in all those shiny bits hanging on racks. Whitworths don't keep all the stuff in the catalog in their shops and if it's expensive stuff you want you need to call them a couple of days ahead and they will have it ready for you.

Yep. Distribution is a tough gig. A healthy disty business means you invoice your inventory value every month (so 12 stock turns a year.)
A warning indicator is when you invoice half of your inventory every month (6 stock turns per year). That's manageable, but its so easy to let it blow out. If you are not monitoring it carefully then in no time at all you're in trouble.
So if you carry 200K in inventory, you should be invoicing 200K per month. If you can't you need to reduce inventory.
It takes a lot of work to balance having enough stock to satisfy demand without blowing out inventory values. And inventory is where your working capital gets tied up.
I would argue that 12 stock turns would be a tall stretch for most sailing disty outlets, I feel for them.

I just wanted to update this for reference.

I had a lateral look at the project. I've had it in mind the update my mainsheet system for a while as it's only a 6:1 - handling a fairly big main. When under a lot of pressure, it's a beast to manage and there's no fine-tune at all. The two triple mainsheet blocks are only 4 years old, so I'm moving them to the backstay and doing an upgrade on the mainsheet system to something more manageable.

I did a search on here and came up with this interesting old thread: www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Sailing/General/mainsheet-systems?page=1

I liked the look of the Easy-Matic 8:1 system that Rumblefish mentioned, so I've decided to go for that. It gains me an additional 2:1 purchase when hauling on both lines and a fine-tune at 8:1 when I pull on either of the lines individually. It'll be interesting to see how it goes. As my mainsheet is mounted near the end of my boom, there's a heap of line to haul in and the 4:1 mode will speed that up.

The Aus agent for the Easy-Matic Mainsheet blocks is allyachtspars.com.au and they had it in stock.

Yeah that's the one Shaggy. It just arrived in the post actually, it looks good and strong. Once my new main sheet arrives I'll be able to rig it up, I'll post a photo in-situ. I don't think I'll endless loop the sheet at this stage, I'll just leave enough on the tails in case I decide to do so down the track if the two separate ends drive me nuts.

I think they are endless for a reason. So you don't have to worry about one line ending. If that makes sense. You will have too keep re-entering the sheet if you have ends.
I guy down the dock put one of these on a while back and loves it. Only problem is you end up with long mainsheet. If you don't already have one get a bag for the mainsheet.