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does sound like a law firm..
i'm betting at least one of you has figured out where to buy the most affordable blocks.
i need some ratchet blocks for my new asymm, and some other assorted blocks to properly rig my reefing set-up..
ok..recommendations as to quality and affordability.
thanks...
While they will all do the job, I don't think this is an area where you should be buying the least expensive equipment - It will be false economy once it fails.
You may pay a bit more but you can't go wrong with Harken - and on a Sabre 30 a couple of ratchet sheet blocks shouldn't break the bank.
The Garhauer blocks are probably the most affordable, and among the better looking, better built blocks out there. I don't much care for the Schaefer blocks, as they seem to be more prone to rusting than Garhauer, Harken or Lewmar.
Right now, Defender.com had some really good prices on the 60mm Lewmar blocks, and they ended up being slightly less than the equivalent Garhauer blocks, so I got some for leading the lines aft to the cockpit on my boat.
I've used both the Harken Hexamatic and Lewmar Ratch blocks. I like the design on the Lewmar better...but YMMV.
It would help if you said what size lines you're planning on running through the blocks, as the different sized blocks can be priced quite differently.
BTW, Garhauer isn't a cheap brand, at least in terms of quality. They are standard gear on a lot of new production boats, including Catalinas. However, I have not used a ratchet block from them. I don't even know if they make ratchet blocks, but am guessing that they must.
i'm not afraid to pay for quality..most of the blocks aboard are harken..however, what i really am looking for is "where to buy"...there seems to be vast differences in price for the same item from chandlery to chandlery..
harken provides a really neat interactive buying aspect..yet they don't suggest the 75mm carbo blocks, which i think are a nice balance of strength and value
so..the question at hand remains..who has the best deal on blocks..
I purchased the Harken rachet blocks for our asymetrical spinnaker and so far I am pleased. Beware that the snap shackle recommended in the catalog might not be correct. The snap shackle that fits the 2680 is the 884.
Well, Garhauer are only available direct AFAIK. Harken, Lewmar and Schaefer are available from most chandleries, so you'll have to do some price shopping. Defender.com has some good prices on the Lewmars as I was saying earlier.
I'd go with Lewmar 60mm Synchro blocks...which have a SWL of 1760 lbs. and are designed for 8-10mm line. 3/8" line is 9.5mm. The single blocks are about $17.00 over at Defender.com. BTW, the sailnet price on the exact same block is $29.25. hmm... That's a pretty steep difference...72% higher than the defender.com price.
BTW, tried to post this four times last night, but Sailnet kept crashing... with the prices they charge, you'd think they'd be able to afford new servers.
We have switched most of our blocks to Garhauer and have been very pleased with them. The Defender prices on Lewmar Synchro blocks are quite good - they are almost down to the cost of the Garhauers. But note that the Garhauer equipment really compares to the Lewmar Racing blocks, not the Synchro, and for those blocks Garhauer appears to keep its price advantage.
The spinnaker halyard turning block was one of our last Lewmar Ocean 2 blocks and I had not replaced it due to infrequent use. It failed this summer, sending the shive over our heads like a missile. I noted that it was the pin weld that failed, and the block opened up like a clamshell. A nice feature of the Garhauer and the Lewmar Racing blocks is, a design with no pin.
If you haven't handled the Garhauer in person, my advice would be to buy one of each, put them side-by-side, and I think the Garhauer answer will be obvious. Return whichever you don't like.
I'll second the recommendation of Garhauer blocks, if they carry the type you need. I have found their fair prices to be even lower by negotiating directly with the owners at boat shows. I purchased several lead blocks at the Newport International Boat Show this way. As SD & SF stated, excellent quality and designs - made in the USA.
I'd also agree that the Garhauer are more in line with the Lewmar Racing. I've used the Garhauer on a few other projects and been very happy with them.
thanks for the replies..
now here is a value/need question. what are the inherrent advantages of using a ratchet over a standard block in an asymm spinnaker environment? for instance, the very affordable lewmar 60mm w/ becket on defender.com does not have a ratchet. the harken 3.00 w/o becket is $50.00 ea. as this won't be used in a racing environment, i'll mostly be sailing to trim.
thoughts anyone?
Not to belabor the point, but here's another vote for Garhauer. I bought a soft vang from them at the Miami Boat Show. Very good quality, and about 2/3rds the price of the other major brands, including internet and ebay prices.
Ratchet blocks act to give you more control over a line and help reduce the load on your hands, by resisting the turning force of the asym sheets. I use one for the boom brake setup on my boat. Depending on the size of the asym and the winches used for it, you probably don't need a ratchet block. Generally, they're only used on lines that are handled manually, not ones that have a mechanical advantage device.
For cruising you likely do not need rachet blocks but they can be handy. In light to moderate air you can just use the block, you do not have to use a winch. The block does not turn back so you have a fair bit of friction when easing the sheet. This allows you to hand hold the line.
I am actually putting a pair on my 30 footer a S2 9.1. Since these boats come with the seconday winches on the cabin top I find that when we are raising or dropping a spinaker at a mark while racing we some times need to hold the sheet or guy by hand for a short period. If it is really blowing that can be difficult. The rachet block would help out here.
I have only had it one one summer so there may be other options but I like the rachet blocks. On smaller boats you can just use them and no winch required.
Garhauer!!! It is not a cheaper product, it is a less expensive product. The money they do not spend on half a dozen full page ads in every sail magazine and the money that the retailer makes is translated into savings to you.
The other thing they do is sell direct to the public, avoiding the markup that the distributors and retailers have to make on the product.
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