Easy Reefing Blocks - where do you get them from?

[Bloater]

Hi, can anyone help?

I've been trying to think of ways to make raising the mainsail easier as there is quite a lot of friction from the reefing halyards as thay pass through the reefing cringles/grommets. (I did see a thread recently on single line reefing).

Does anyone know where I can get some blocks that are designed to fit inside the cringles/grommets at the reefing points to reduce the friction?

I thought I was on to something in the shape of Goiot's Easy-Reef blocks but it would appear that they are discontinued. They have disappeared from the XM-Yachting catalogue.

My only alternative at the moment is to mount 'normal' blocks to the reefing points but there has to be a better way...

 

[alan17]

I was thinking of having tape strops sewn to the luff and leach tapes and also anti chaffe patches. Could then use small blocks attached to the strops.

 

[rogerthebodger]

PM adamaster he may be able to help. He works for our local agent for Goiot

 

[Tranona]

I have patches on my sail with tape loops and rings to take the blocks. Set back from the luff so there is a better lead for the line to the block at the foot of the mast.

 

[Norman_E]

I used Barton blocks (number 4 or 5 size I think) which I fitted to stainless rings which the sail-maker sewed to the cringles, one ring each side using heavy duty tape. I dismantled the blocks and re-assembled them with the ring through the stainless loop at the top. The blocks were assembled with quarter inch stainless studs with thin nuts both sides, with the stud riveted over. I ground the stud ends to remove them and re-assembled with stainless bolts and nyloc nuts.

 

[Bloater]

Norman_E... Thanks for that - I assume that the intention of modifiying the block was to ensure that there were no sharp edges once the ring had been attached.

Wouldn't it have been just as effective (and a lot easier) to just use a shackle through the cringle to another ring and avoid taking the block apart?

 

[simonfraser]

you can get harken carbo blocks that tie on with small diameter dyneema

 

[Norman_E]

I did not want an extra part (the shackle) in the system, particularly as the ring is flat against the sail so that a shackle could be a source of chafe. That was why I took the blocks apart. The bolts I used were just the right length so that the nyloc nuts just tightened with little bolt protrusion, and I did not use hex head bolts but ones with a round head with a pozidrive slot, so nothing to chafe the sail on that side.

One of the modified bocks is visible (edge on) in this photo, and the nyloc nut can be seen, as can part of the ring on the sail.