Is there an economoical alternative to Ronstan/Harken/Lewmar sheave blocks?

[coopec]

I think its been asked, or a question raised, and I don't recall reading an answer

But why is your mainsheet so big? Its going to be very difficult to coil neatly especially if you don't have hands like a gorilla.

15mm is quite hefty and you could downsize the mainsheet and then use smaller blocks. For maximum downsizing (or min rope diameter) why not change the mainsheet for dyneema. I recall all your cordage has been supplied - I'm sure you will find a use for the 15mm supplied. We have been using dyneema as a mainsheet since around 1989 or '90 - without issues. I put my money where my mouth is .... Our cat was supplied with 15mm as the mainsheet - we quickly changed it for 10mm dyneema.

Jonathan

Jon
I'm completely out of my depth so I can't answer your questions. I'll have to see the rigger and sail-maker to see what they have in mind. (That will be after Christmas though)

But the thread has certainly served it's purpose as I'll probably go for Barton sheaves (as much as I'd like to make up my own)

(Having just installed the companionway stairs, tomorrow I'll start readying the sole for carpeting)

Thanks everyone for your advice.

 

[Wing Mark]

Ronstan are happy to have some of their equipment made in China. You can buy the same equipment direct from the manufacturer, with the Ronstan logo. in my experience and that of Ronstan quality is excellent. I have had custom parts made in China, excellent quality and much cheaper than from Oz. Most of anchor chain for sale across Europe is made in China. Most anchors are now made in China

What did you buy that failed?

Jonathan

I think the point is, there is lots of cheap Chinese stuff on ebay which superficially looks useful, but won't stand up to ocean use.
Pulleys sheaves intended for outdoor use inland may be made of some low grade 'stainless' which is fine for some things but not a bargain when we repurpose them for a yacht.
It's not that the stuff is Chinese, it's more about it being cheap and offered in a certain way on ebay etc.

When the OP pushes up the rope size to 15mm. from 10 or 12, he's moving into a small segment of an already limited market.
Barton can sell me a block for 8mm rope, £11 , it's really very nice. But every 2mm on the rope diameter probably reduces the number they sell by a factor of about 5, so the price goes up due to each block having a bigger slice of the design time, less turnover on inventory etc etc. Once you leave the world of items actually stocked by retailers , prices go up hugely.

Years ago I did have some brief dealings with boats over 60ft. It then starts to make sense to make your own bespoke fittings, if you have the skills to hand.

Most Ronstan kit is IMHO, up there with Harken. But the mainsheet block and cleat I bought for a 14ft dinghy cost over £150 about ten years ago IIRC. Worth it because it was better than the harken offering for me.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Ronstan are happy to have some of their equipment made in China. You can buy the same equipment direct from the manufacturer, with the Ronstan logo. in my experience and that of Ronstan quality is excellent. I have had custom parts made in China, excellent quality and much cheaper than from Oz. Most of anchor chain for sale across Europe is made in China. Most anchors are now made in China

If it's a brand name like Ronstan and made in China, it will be ok, because they have a reputation to protect and will make darned sure it's ok, and it will be a Ronstan price. If it comes from Aliexpress, claims it is rust proof and corrosion resistant suitable for outdoor use but has carbon steel bearings and costs buttons, it will be Chinese tofu dreg junk. Aliexpress suppliers don't give a gnat's tadger about their reputation. They just want your money. Ergo, Ronstan don't sell their products via Aliexpress.

 

[Neeves]

Jon
I'm completely out of my depth so I can't answer your questions. I'll have to see the rigger and sail-maker to see what they have in mind. (That will be after Christmas though)

But the thread has certainly served it's purpose as I'll probably go for Barton sheaves (as much as I'd like to make up my own)

(Having just installed the companionway stairs, tomorrow I'll start readying the sole for carpeting)

Thanks everyone for your advice.

Carpetting

I might start another thread. Carpets can get wet and are inordinately difficult to dry when at sea. They also collect dirt.

Different application being a cat - our cabin sole is De Vinci domestic flooring. There is insufficient room and you are always within reach of multiple hand holds - we have never slipped. Easy to clean, if it gets wet dry it off easily. Spill a pot of fresh coffee on the floor - carpet - awful (been there, done that. Fresh coffee goes everywhere.

Jonathan

 

[coopec]

If it's a brand name like Ronstan and made in China, it will be ok, because they have a reputation to protect and will make darned sure it's ok, and it will be a Ronstan price. If it comes from Aliexpress, claims it is rust proof and corrosion resistant suitable for outdoor use but has carbon steel bearings and costs buttons, it will be Chinese tofu dreg junk. Aliexpress suppliers don't give a gnat's tadger about their reputation. They just want your money. Ergo, Ronstan don't sell their products via Aliexpress.

I've only just started buying some items from Aliexpress and I'm very, very wary.

But the pulleys I bought with "carbon steel bearings" may well take a Timken, SKF or NSK roller race anyway? Failing that they may come in handy to haul the dinghy aboard- they are cheap enough!

I think I've got eBay sorted as I won't buy batteries, MPPT Solar charge controllers, SD (memory) cards. I take a close look at the seller's approval rating also. Very few Chinese sellers are listed on eBay (Australia) these days anyway

 

[coopec]

Carpetting

I might start another thread. Carpets can get wet and are inordinately difficult to dry when at sea. They also collect dirt.

Different application being a cat - our cabin sole is De Vinci domestic flooring. There is insufficient room and you are always within reach of multiple hand holds - we have never slipped. Easy to clean, if it gets wet dry it off easily. Spill a pot of fresh coffee on the floor - carpet - awful (been there, done that. Fresh coffee goes everywhere.

Jonathan

Jon
I'm going to start a new thread (later today?) on mounting companionway stairs and companionway treads. Maybe I should include carpets as well? ?

 

[Neeves]

Clive one thread, one topic - spread them out.

Sticking to the title of this thread I've been racking my memory cells:

Blocks - try Riley. They are an 'unknown' Oz block maker - if they still exist (I have not checked).

I have 2 of their snatch blocks - the cheeks are all stainless and they look decidedly old fashioned. I bought them when we had a second hand marine store (which is now closed).

Just an idea dredged up from the back of my mind.

Be careful not to be sidetracked into Riley - as in cars. They are a car I can dribble over. . My grandfather had one with a (Armstrong ? ) pre-selector gear box, leather seats with rubber blow up upholstery, running boards, a valve radio and a boot that had a lowered flat door on which you could load a cabin trunk. One day when I was around 10 he went off and sold is for stg25 - my mother, his daughter, was livid - she had hankered after it.

But I digress

Jon

 

[coopec]

Jon

I will have several threads- makes sense.

I have checked Riley Sheaves and their 419 is just a bit small. Riley are closing down which is sad as their prices were reasonable.
You referred to Riley Cars. Did you mean one like this? I suppose they had pulleys too?

 

[Neeves]

Jon

I will have several threads- makes sense.

I have checked Riley Sheaves and their 419 is just a bit small. Riley are closing down which is sad as their prices were reasonable.
You referred to Riley Cars. Did you mean one like this? I suppose they had pulleys too?

View attachment 126846

For cars - yes that is one - but my grandfather's was a 4 door and possibly earlier as his had running boards and spoke wheels. His was a hard top with a sliding opening roof. When Shanghai Auto bought MG they also bought the, sleeping, brand names like Riley and possibly others


I'm not sure if they are closing down - unless you spoke to them. The website mentions closure but I had assumed that referred to a Covid closure. It was a bit ambiguous. They said send orders by email....very unclear

Odd they would close without monetising (by sale of good will plus a lot of kit). But difficult to compete with the likes of Ronstan (though Allen Bros are making a good attempt and they have Lewmar to compete with).

 

[Wing Mark]

There's a shortage of good used blocks on ebay right now!
Some used prices are stupidly high.
I've just ordered some of these:
Pulley Block 2 x 25mm + Nylon Sheave Bracket & Removable Pin Stainless Steel | eBay
Two small blocks for a fiver.
I will see how 'stainless they are.

There are some blocks on one of my boats which don't need to be great quality so I might swap them out and gain some good blocks for the yacht.

These 'block shaped objects' turned up yesterday.
An object lesson in what can be wrong in a cheap or knackered block.
They are 'assembled ' with some slack, and the shackle part slightly squeezes the sides onto the rim of the sheave wheel, making just enough friction that the rope slides on the sheave instead of turning it.
They seem reasonably strong, took my weight at least.
The stainless is not magnetic, I've put them out in the rain to see if they rust.

 

[coopec]

Well here is a supplier of Acetal who will not only supply 100mm rod but will do the machining as well!

I bet they make up sheaves all the time. (I wonder what their minimum quantity is?)

BLACK ACETAL ROD Ø - SELECT SIZES - GREAT TO MACHINE - FREE TRACKED SHIPPING! | eBay

 

[Beneteau381]

Carpetting

I might start another thread. Carpets can get wet and are inordinately difficult to dry when at sea. They also collect dirt.

Different application being a cat - our cabin sole is De Vinci domestic flooring. There is insufficient room and you are always within reach of multiple hand holds - we have never slipped. Easy to clean, if it gets wet dry it off easily. Spill a pot of fresh coffee on the floor - carpet - awful (been there, done that. Fresh coffee goes everywhere.

Jonathan

My carpet doesnt auffer from the woes you describe!

 

[Neeves]

My carpet doesnt auffer from the woes you describe!

Take a spinnaker down in teeming rain and its difficult to keep anything dry .......

and the last thing you worry about is keeping the carpet dry.

Jonathan

 

[coopec]

Clive one thread, one topic - spread them out.

Blocks - try Riley. They are an 'unknown' Oz block maker - if they still exist (I have not checked).

I have 2 of their snatch blocks - the cheeks are all stainless and they look decidedly old fashioned. I bought them when we had a second hand marine store (which is now closed).

Just an idea dredged up from the back of my mind.

Be careful not to be sidetracked into Riley - as in cars. They are a car I can dribble over. . My grandfather had one with a (Armstrong ? ) pre-selector gear box, leather seats with rubber blow up upholstery, running boards, a valve radio and a boot that had a lowered flat door on which you could load a cabin trunk. One day when I was around 10 he went off and sold is for stg25 - my mother, his daughter, was livid - she had hankered after it.

But I digress

Jon

I'm sure I mentioned either in a comment here or a private email that I thought LW Riley Pty Ltd was closing down.

Happily I was....WRONG! (They were just closing down for the Covid lockdown)

 

[Beneteau381]

Take a spinnaker down in teeming rain and its difficult to keep anything dry .......

and the last thing you worry about is keeping the carpet dry.

Jonathan

Dont do teeming rain in Portugal when I an contemplating flying a spinnaker, anyway its bagged befire it goes below