sail blocks

[fireball]

I'm in the process of converting to single line reefing. We currently have manual slab reefing and use sail ties to hold everything in place.
Having placed our order for a stackpack I want/need to make our reefing easier.

The system I intend to do is single line (for each reef) starting under the boom at the stern, up through the eye in the clew of the reef, through the back of the boom (existing block), out at the other end, heading upwards, through the tack of the reef then down to deck level and routed back to jammers near the cockpit.

We already have the hardware inplace to do most of this, so it should just be a case of adding line and re-routing a halyard to tidy up...

My question is:
Can you get blocks that allow for a smoother run through the eyes in the sail (if so - where?!) or am I better to shackle on external blocks?

Thanks!

ps: Info for those that require it: Jenneau Sun Odyssey 30 - in the Solent.

 

[alan]

On my sail the sailmaker used "cheek blocks" .......... like you find on the clew of a in-mast reefing main. They are flattish and sit on the sail and are attached by tapes - normal blocks are prone to chafe the sail with their sharp edges. You should be able to get them from any sailmakers but may be more difficult to find in a swindlers.

Alan.
Nettuno, Italy.

 

[kds]

It is a nice simple solution - but friction usually makes it unworkable.
Ken

 

[LORDNELSON]

I have a similar system on my mainsail which works well and has cheek blocks on the leach. These were fitted by Crusader sails when they made the sail. As another correspondent says, they are taped on and I would think you need professional machines to do the sewing although it may be possible to do it using needle and palm if you have lots of spare time!

 

[Robin]

There are some new bocks that are designed to fit within the clew eyes, they come in two sizes I believe and simply clamp in place. Plastimo I think list them and they must help a bit with reduced friction on the clew ends of the system.

Personally I prefer a 2 line system, much simpler and much less friction. The only slight downside is there are twice the number of lines (but half the length, so there is only the same overall total of rope) and you need 3 more clutches/turning blocks. Most single line systems with the lines in the boom can only do 2 reefs that way because there isn't room in the boom for the blocks for the 3rd. Our 2 line system has all 3 reefs running inside the boom (you don't need a complicated tackle in the boom). With 2 line, you will not need blocks on the sail at the tack reef points and these lines have no load on them when reefing since the halyard is released, they can be easily pulled in by hand without a winch, they are then tensioned by the halyard. You will also not need the bocks inside the boom either so the overall cost is probably about the same.