looking to replace, and recommendations for a double block for the traveller and 2 singles for the boom? Expensive!
I have a pair of Fico Ronstan Offshore 100 double blocks, one with a bail, which are ideal for 40 odd footer main sheet tackle. The double block with the bail is new from the shop.
Also I have two single blocks. One is fixed attachment with rope sheave, the other is swivel attachment with rope to wire sheave.
All of the blocks are little used with no slop in the bearings.
They are all fully dismantleable using spanners, have stainless load straps and bronze sheave bearings which if need be can be bored out and replaced with new to size.
You can't buy this sort of yacht jewelery new today. The package I estimate to be worth new at $1,700 with the shackles.
Make me a decent offer for the lot and they are yours. No picking the eyes out of the potatoe.
They don't look so big in the photos but these are 100 mm diameter sheaves. This is heavy duty gear.



Up to you Cobber.
No, not doble blocks for your traveller nor single blocks for your boom (whatever that means) but it is suitable hardware for a 40 footer.
Mauri Pro have some good prices on Lewmar at the moment. Even when not on special, their prices are usually better than I could find here.
We just upgraded a couple of mainsheet blocks with 90mm synchro, to increase the purchase.
www.mauriprosailing.com
Can get Selden 60mm plain bearing blocks pretty cheap
SWL of 1100kg, single $90 each, double $150 each plus some freight but you won't find anything decent much cheaper
Can get Selden 60mm plain bearing blocks pretty cheap
SWL of 1100kg, single $90 each, double $150 each plus some freight but you won't find anything decent much cheaper
Thanks Rumblefish that's exactly what I'm looking for.
Hi Southace
If you don't mind me asking what is the problem with the existing blocks
Regards Don
They are noisy ,the new rope still doesn't run freely , the sheet always twisted, chipped and worn.....etc.
yeah maybe I could rebuilt em but like Ciscio I would rather just replace them and then sell the olds on through Seabreeze!

I think it has something to do with aluminium mixed with stainless steel and salt.... That's my theory anyway.
They are noisy ,the new rope still doesn't run freely , the sheet always twisted, chipped and worn.....etc.
yeah maybe I could rebuilt em but like Ciscio I would rather just replace them and then sell the olds on through Seabreeze!

There is nothing wrong with that build of block. You are just not using them correctly and the reason they are noisy is because the sheave's bronze bearings are worn out and/or not lubricated. Anything metal to metal requires lubrication.
Those blocks are the Fico Ronstan Offshore 100 Series as are the ones I have. They have been fitted to many a famous race winning yacht and are almost indestructible. They may only be the 75 series. It is impossible to tell from the photo as they are identical in appearance. The 100 and 75 refers to the sheave diameter.
The main problem you have there is the attachment of the aft block on the boom.
Detach it, take the lug out and put it back at 90 degrees to how it is now.
Your mainsheet is crossing over itself causing chafe, wear and resistance in the sheeting system.
Then you have that other "something" attached to the aft bail leading forward. What is it??
That sheeting arrangement you have there is only 2:1 purchase. Simply rearranging what you have there could turn it into a 4:1 purchase. The two single blocks need to be joined with longer bolts and two of the cheek plates removed.
Then you will need another turning block for the forward bail.
With the blocks I have you could turn that into an 8 or even 16 to 1 purchase system.
If you had a copy of the 1980s "Ronstan Yacht Equipment and Rigging Guide - Export Edition" (now a collectors item and I have two of them), you would find a wealth of information with sheeting system diagrams, load rating tables and goodness knows what else you would find invalueable.
So here is a deal for you!!
Buy the blocks I offered in my previous post for $800 and I will throw in the big shackles AND the "Ronstan Yacht Equipment and Rigging Guide - Export Edition" for another $200.
Deals like this do not come up very often on vintage stuff.
By the way, I think I have a buyer for the 30 year old Engel fridge.
For a 4:1 with that setup don't use double blocks, use a fiddle block on the traveller as well as all swivel blocks. Tie a nice neat halyard knot on the becket and the sheet will run freely. Just done it as per below on our 40' cruiser with cabin top traveller, smooth as!


They are noisy ,the new rope still doesn't run freely , the sheet always twisted, chipped and worn.....etc.
yeah maybe I could rebuilt em but like Ciscio I would rather just replace them and then sell the olds on through Seabreeze!

There is nothing wrong with that build of block. You are just not using them correctly and the reason they are noisy is because the sheave's bronze bearings are worn out and/or not lubricated. Anything metal to metal requires lubrication.
Those blocks are the Fico Ronstan Offshore 100 Series as are the ones I have. They have been fitted to many a famous race winning yacht and are almost indestructible. They may only be the 75 series. It is impossible to tell from the photo as they are identical in appearance. The 100 and 75 refers to the sheave diameter.
The main problem you have there is the attachment of the aft block on the boom.
Detach it, take the lug out and put it back at 90 degrees to how it is now.
Your mainsheet is crossing over itself causing chafe, wear and resistance in the sheeting system.
Then you have that other "something" attached to the aft bail leading forward. What is it??
That sheeting arrangement you have there is only 2:1 purchase. Simply rearranging what you have there could turn it into a 4:1 purchase. The two single blocks need to be joined with longer bolts and two of the cheek plates removed.
Then you will need another turning block for the forward bail.
With the blocks I have you could turn that into an 8 or even 16 to 1 purchase system.
If you had a copy of the 1980s "Ronstan Yacht Equipment and Rigging Guide - Export Edition" (now a collectors item and I have two of them), you would find a wealth of information with sheeting system diagrams, load rating tables and goodness knows what else you would find invalueable.
So here is a deal for you!!
Buy the blocks I offered in my previous post for $800 and I will throw in the big shackles AND the "Ronstan Yacht Equipment and Rigging Guide - Export Edition" for another $200.
Deals like this do not come up very often on vintage stuff.
By the way, I think I have a buyer for the 30 year old Engel fridge.
I thought Ned Kelly was dead
They are noisy ,the new rope still doesn't run freely , the sheet always twisted, chipped and worn.....etc.
yeah maybe I could rebuilt em but like Ciscio I would rather just replace them and then sell the olds on through Seabreeze!

There is nothing wrong with that build of block. You are just not using them correctly and the reason they are noisy is because the sheave's bronze bearings are worn out and/or not lubricated. Anything metal to metal requires lubrication.
Those blocks are the Fico Ronstan Offshore 100 Series as are the ones I have. They have been fitted to many a famous race winning yacht and are almost indestructible. They may only be the 75 series. It is impossible to tell from the photo as they are identical in appearance. The 100 and 75 refers to the sheave diameter.
The main problem you have there is the attachment of the aft block on the boom.
Detach it, take the lug out and put it back at 90 degrees to how it is now.
Your mainsheet is crossing over itself causing chafe, wear and resistance in the sheeting system.
Then you have that other "something" attached to the aft bail leading forward. What is it??
That sheeting arrangement you have there is only 2:1 purchase. Simply rearranging what you have there could turn it into a 4:1 purchase. The two single blocks need to be joined with longer bolts and two of the cheek plates removed.
Then you will need another turning block for the forward bail.
With the blocks I have you could turn that into an 8 or even 16 to 1 purchase system.
If you had a copy of the 1980s "Ronstan Yacht Equipment and Rigging Guide - Export Edition" (now a collectors item and I have two of them), you would find a wealth of information with sheeting system diagrams, load rating tables and goodness knows what else you would find invalueable.
So here is a deal for you!!
Buy the blocks I offered in my previous post for $800 and I will throw in the big shackles AND the "Ronstan Yacht Equipment and Rigging Guide - Export Edition" for another $200.
Deals like this do not come up very often on vintage stuff.
By the way, I think I have a buyer for the 30 year old Engel fridge.
Cisco
I think the main disadvantage of Engel Fridges like yours (I am on my second one) is the lack of insulation but this can also be an advantage as it means that they don't take up a lot of space
That book must be something special at the price you are asking as there is a fair bit of free information on the Ronstan web site
www.ronstan.com.au/marine5/mainsheet_systems.asp
www.ronstan.com.au/marine5/supportoverview.asp
Regards Don
I think I will go the freeradical advice, funny I was looking at those set ups before he posted....I will try to use seldom as it seams cheap and replaceable. I'm not really into worn out vintage sailing gear that can be rebuilt. I am intrested in the rope /webbing attachments rather than the old s/s bail style attachments.
That book must be something special at the price you are asking as there is a fair bit of free information on the Ronstan web site
Ronstan's web site is now very good. A while back it was hard to find that sort of info and that book was in high demand and hard to find so I guess the digital age has superceeded it.
It is a handy book to have on board still.
Can get Selden 60mm plain bearing blocks pretty cheap
SWL of 1100kg, single $90 each, double $150 each plus some freight but you won't find anything decent much cheaper
Have a look at Master sailing hardware which is available in Australia now. About $50 for a single and $100 for a double in 72mm taking 12mm line.