Second hand blocks etc

[Samoddie]

Ok. Something of a newbie to this boating. Lots of sailing in my youth. I am, I hope, well on with my work on Anderson 22 (built from pure unobtanium etc etc) and hope to get the mast up shortly. Apart from the blocks in mast, it looks clear that the blocks fastened to the deck needs new pulleys at the very least. So, question is, whether it’s possible to buy second hand recycled boat bits. I5seems to me that there mus5 be a huge numbe4 of boats hitting the knackers yar£. And yet, it’s not obvious to me where I should buy second hand bits (save planet, and also no budget is unlimited) Thoughts? Where does a man buy second hand boat bits?

 

[Tranona]

First thing is that boat owners are terrible hoarders particularly of useful things like blocks so there will be thousands lying around in lockers and garages like mine. Second thing is how to prise them away. The most common perhaps is boat jumbles, although they have rather declined in popularity recently. There are some specific used boats bits traders such as Alladins Cave in Burseldon but again few and far between as it is difficult to make money out of old bits. Blocks are (as you have discovered) disposable items and if still working tend not to be offered for sale if any good. This forum For Sale section is active, but number of members and ads have declined over the years. Organised boat breaking is still in its infancy but there are a couple in the Solent area.

 

[KompetentKrew]

There are some secondhand boat parts groups on Facebook - "Yachts and Yachty Bits For Sale" is good for that sort of thing.

 

[fredrussell]

EBay, or boat jumbles. I prefer the latter, and don’t forget to haggle!

 

[wombat88]

Also Facebook group, 'dinghies and dinghy bits for sale'

 

[syvictoria]

Gumtree too sometimes. You can always ask sellers if they'd be willing to post. It's easy for little things like blocks. It's worth remembering that there is much less in the way of protection when buying through the likes of Gumtree and (I assume) Facebook though (compared to eBay), so I would suggest that you have a good virtual chat with the seller before parting with any money!

I'm not sure that you've mentioned your location? If you're on the east coast, the chandlers at Titchmarsh Marina, Walton on the Naze, has (or certainly 'had' a couple of years ago) a good second hand area.

Local yacht clubs might also be a further source?

You could try an ad in the Wanted section here on YBW too.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

EBay, or boat jumbles. I prefer the latter, and don’t forget to haggle!

This might help.

 

[Samoddie]

Have tried some of the pages on FB, but seems to be mostly boats for sale!

 

[Boathook]

I replace blocks as the originals are knackered. I also try to repair damaged ones by replacing sheaves, etc. I enjoy the challenge of how to repair something, even electrical items if doesn't involve electronic components.