Blocks - Roller/ball/plain?

[andreas.mehlin]

What kind of blocks do you use on your boat and how have you experienced your upgrades?

[model 10]

You don't want to use ball bearing blocks on something like a halyard. You will flat spot the balls. Plain bearing blocks hold up sitting in just one spot.

[roverhi]

Someone should tell Harken that their ball bearing halyard blocks shouldn't be used for halyards.

Seem to remember that ball bearing blocks give no advantage under heavy loads. They do seem to have less drag when lightly loaded, however.

Originally Posted by Ecos

You don't want to use ball bearing blocks on something like a halyard. You will flat spot the balls. Plain bearing blocks hold up sitting in just one spot.

[Mike OReilly]

I like https://www.garhauermarine.com. Solid, well made, and usually cheaper than the other big brands.

[Orion Jim]

I have Schaefer, Harken, and Garhauer ball bearing blocks in various applications. All quality stuff if you follow their reccommended working loads.

[model 10]

[QUOTE=roverhi;2751863]Someone should tell Harken that their ball bearing halyard blocks shouldn't be used for halyards.


I'm not so sure that they do reccomend ball bearing blocks for halyards. The blocks with metal balls or rollers maybe, but plastic balls flat spot under high static loads. The cheap Garhauer stuff for example.

[andreas.mehlin]

What sizing of block and working load should I look at for 1) mast base blocks and 2) organizers? Mainsail is about 450sqft and genoa: 500 sqft....

[model 10]

Harken has great charts in their catalog. I went with 5000 lbs for our boat, an easy number to work with.

[silversailor]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

I like https://www.garhauermarine.com. Solid, well made, and usually cheaper than the other big brands.

Ditto. Excellent service. Call them and they will tell you what you need and will not try to oversell.