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Mainsheet sheave blocks

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Created by southace > 9 months ago, 27 Nov 2017
southace
SA, 4794 posts
27 Nov 2017 7:58PM
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looking to replace, and recommendations for a double block for the traveller and 2 singles for the boom? Expensive!

cisco
QLD, 12361 posts
27 Nov 2017 11:24PM
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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.

southace
SA, 4794 posts
28 Nov 2017 7:17AM
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Cobbler that to me looks like the **** I'm trying to replace.

cisco
QLD, 12361 posts
28 Nov 2017 8:55AM
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Whatever.

FreeRadical
WA, 855 posts
28 Nov 2017 7:44AM
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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

rumblefish
TAS, 824 posts
1 Dec 2017 2:46PM
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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

southace
SA, 4794 posts
1 Dec 2017 5:52PM
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Select to expand quote
rumblefish said..
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.

Donk107
TAS, 2446 posts
1 Dec 2017 6:28PM
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Hi Southace

If you don't mind me asking what is the problem with the existing blocks

Regards Don

southace
SA, 4794 posts
1 Dec 2017 6:21PM
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Select to expand quote
Donk107 said..
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!


southace
SA, 4794 posts
1 Dec 2017 6:29PM
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I think it has something to do with aluminium mixed with stainless steel and salt.... That's my theory anyway.

cisco
QLD, 12361 posts
1 Dec 2017 11:57PM
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Select to expand quote
southace said..


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.

FreeRadical
WA, 855 posts
1 Dec 2017 10:30PM
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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!



Ramona
NSW, 7722 posts
2 Dec 2017 8:16AM
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southace said..
I think it has something to do with aluminium mixed with stainless steel and salt.... That's my theory anyway.


If you have access to a lathe I would suggest CammThane nylon. Length of rod to do 10 sheaves would cost about $20. Easy to machine, self lubricating [feels slippery], about as hard as aluminium. Probably make the cheeks from sheet nylon and hang them off soft shackles for dead quiet operation.
www.cammthane.com.au/products/nylon/

In the photo all the black stuff is nylon.



dialdan
QLD, 83 posts
2 Dec 2017 12:17PM
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Select to expand quote
cisco said..

southace said..


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

Donk107
TAS, 2446 posts
2 Dec 2017 6:21PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
cisco said..


southace said..


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

southace
SA, 4794 posts
2 Dec 2017 6:15PM
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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.

HG02
VIC, 5814 posts
2 Dec 2017 7:28PM
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garhauer.com.au/

not bad stuff either

southace
SA, 4794 posts
2 Dec 2017 7:14PM
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Have you been for a sail yet hG28?

Ramona
NSW, 7722 posts
3 Dec 2017 8:28AM
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HG02 said..
garhauer.com.au/

not bad stuff either


Where are the prices?

cisco
QLD, 12361 posts
3 Dec 2017 9:40AM
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Select to expand quote
Donk107 said..
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.

Stratussailor
NSW, 16 posts
19 Dec 2017 11:00PM
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Select to expand quote
rumblefish said..
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.



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"Mainsheet sheave blocks" started by southace