Largeish cheek blocks, where from?

[Rick_A]

Hello guys,
Im searching for a cheek block that can take the strain of the genoa on my boat. And the strain of working while under load. We used to have (around 15years ago) the largest of the barton ones, size 4 i think, but it just twisted and was basically pulled apart by the strain in a couple of days.
The block will be placed behind the winch and bring the sheet back to the cockpit taking the rope. The port side sheet cuts into the teak when under strain so the new block is to divert the sheet.
The sheets are 14mm.
I have only looked at the online chandlers and there isnt much available from them other then the barton gear.
Im not sure of the weight that the genoa will put on the block but i could imagine in a good blow it will be well over a ton.
Any advice is apprecited. Moving the winches is not an option either.

 

[PetiteFleur]

How about this from Lewmar? http://www.lewmar.com/products.asp?id=7905&lid=24730

(called footblocks by Lewmar)

My friend has earlier Lewmar ones which were a cast aluminium style - sometimes available on eBay.

 

[wrr]

Tufnol?

How about Tufnol blocks? Classic Marine do a good range and I have yet to explode one, unlike some of their more recent counterparts.

 

[Chris_robb_ndota]

Both Lewmar and Harken offer heavy-duty snatch-blocks. Lewmar's size 1 has a breaking strain of 2250kg ish & the size 3 has a breaking strain of 4300kg! Harken's offerings are similar albeit typically more pricey. Having bought a pair of the Lewmar's for a transat they are very well constructed with soft cheeks to reduce any potential damage if/when they slap around in light airs. No connection obviously, just happy with the way they behaved over those particular 25 Days in all sorts of weather, and in other various extensive use since.

 

[RobinBirch]

Classic Marine's tufnol range is well worth a root around. The bigger cheek blocks are pretty heavy duty. Also have a look at CM's tufnol/stainless sheet leads.

Also perhaps an alternative approach - how about a turning block shackled to an eye bolt? This might cope better with the angle of the sheet which I'm guessing is where you're getting the lifting forces that has twisted the Barton fittings.

 

[bignick]

All the manufacturers do them. What size boat are they for?

 

[ditchcrawler]

Are you sure you are looking at the correct Barton Blocks.There are High Load Footblocks in three sizes.I have the middle size ones which easily take a 12mm sheet.The largest one part no 82997 takes up to a 18mm rope and has a breaking load of 3000kg.

 

[Rick_A]

Are you sure you are looking at the correct Barton Blocks.There are High Load Footblocks in three sizes.I have the middle size ones which easily take a 12mm sheet.The largest one part no 82997 takes up to a 18mm rope and has a breaking load of 3000kg.

Any chance you could post a link to them please. I have not seen one with a break load that high, but sounds just what i am after.
Thanks for the replys guys, the tufnol ones i have not seen but are a possibility.
The boat is 33 feet.

 

[Tranona]

Lewmar, Harken and Rutgerson have suitable products. The first two are probably more readily available.

 

[ditchcrawler]

Try www.bartonmarine.com/products-high-load-and-foot-blocks.asp

 

[bignick]

All these below should be readily available, though as is always the case they're much easier to find once you know the actual part number you're actually looking for!!!

Lewmar ones:
http://www.lewmar.com/products.asp?id=7905&lid=24719

Holt ones:
http://www.holtnautos.com/bigboatblocks/detail.asp?line=offshore75#

Harken:
http://www.harkenstore.com/uniface.urd/scpdinw1.showProd?B4RPMEB9Y8W84G
http://www.harkenstore.com/uniface.urd/scpdinw1.showProd?409Z56LC6UPTU

Ronstan:
http://www.ronstan.com/marine/product.asp?ProdNo=RF69151

 

[Rick_A]

Thanks everyone, great help.