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221 Posts
Sail an S2 27 with a 150 genny which is about 260 sq ft in area.
The other day my foot (turning) block sheave went flying across the cockpit - the sheave axle is nowhere to be found...the blocks were ca. 1985 Scahefers.
In looking at cost of foot blocks - they are of course very expensive compared to cheek blocks. $50 for a block that can handle a SWL of 1750 lbs vs. 2500 lbs for a proper foot block. having said that, 99.9% of my sailing is in sub-20 knot winds. using the harken sail sheet load calculator - at 25 knots, the sheet load is 700 lbs. Using the rule of thumb that a 180 degree turn doubles the load on the block - under 25 knot conditions i will have 1400 lbs of force on the block. so now I am thinking should I just get the way less expensive cheek block since the SWL is within limit?
of course, i did not factor in any additional loads when grinding the winch - which I guess is why I should get the foot block???
thx rick
The other day my foot (turning) block sheave went flying across the cockpit - the sheave axle is nowhere to be found...the blocks were ca. 1985 Scahefers.
In looking at cost of foot blocks - they are of course very expensive compared to cheek blocks. $50 for a block that can handle a SWL of 1750 lbs vs. 2500 lbs for a proper foot block. having said that, 99.9% of my sailing is in sub-20 knot winds. using the harken sail sheet load calculator - at 25 knots, the sheet load is 700 lbs. Using the rule of thumb that a 180 degree turn doubles the load on the block - under 25 knot conditions i will have 1400 lbs of force on the block. so now I am thinking should I just get the way less expensive cheek block since the SWL is within limit?
of course, i did not factor in any additional loads when grinding the winch - which I guess is why I should get the foot block???
thx rick