Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 04-12-2012, 12:05   #1
Registered User

Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 9
Classic Blocks, Who Makes Them Anymore?

I always loved the old SouthCoast Blocks, but they are so hard to find now and always in such sad shape. I want to outfit my boat with classic blocks, but would prefer to steer away from wood. Anyone have any suggestions? Also, if I have to go wood, anyone know who sells straps and sheaves or unfinished blocks? Thanks in Advance.
Topsail is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2012, 14:30   #2
Registered User
 
Blue Stocking's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: St. Georges, Bda
Boat: Rhodes Reliant 41ft
Posts: 4,131
Re: Classic Blocks, who makes them anymore?

Classifieds in Wooden Boat has multiple answers for you.
__________________
so many projects--so little time !!
Blue Stocking is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2012, 14:43   #3
Registered User

Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: between the devil and the deep blue sea
Boat: a sailing boat
Posts: 20,420
Re: Classic Blocks, who makes them anymore?

Browse here: Toplicht. You may find things you like.

b.
barnakiel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2012, 15:34   #4
Moderator... short for Cat Wrangler
 
sarafina's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: San Francisco
Boat: Cal 28 Flush Deck
Posts: 5,559
Images: 56
Re: Classic Blocks, who makes them anymore?

Blue Pelican Marine Nautical Consignments - Home always has a beautiful selection of old gear in good to excellent shape. I often stop to look at the wood stuff ; -) Don't need it but it is pretty!
__________________
Sara

ain't what ya do, it's the way that ya do it...
sarafina is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2012, 05:30   #5
Registered User
 
Blue Stocking's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: St. Georges, Bda
Boat: Rhodes Reliant 41ft
Posts: 4,131
Re: Classic Blocks, who makes them anymore?

Hervey Garrett Smith's "The Marlinspike Sailor" and Bruce Bingham's "The Sailors Sketchbook" both have details and dimensions for making a range of wood shell blocks.
In thinking about it, I would say that making all the blocks out of Ash for my Friendship sloop build was probably the most enjoyable part of the build.
__________________
so many projects--so little time !!
Blue Stocking is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2012, 18:13   #6
Registered User
 
kefroeschner's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Livermore California, St Petersburg Florida
Boat: Morgan, Ocean Racer, 45'
Posts: 80
Re: Classic Blocks, who makes them anymore?

I've made lots of them -- all due respect to my Friend Bruce and Hervey, but their designs, with metal straps and all are needlessly complicated. Rope strops are the way to go. Always have been and the 'Yacht Jewelery' makers are seeing the light as well.

The last batch I made with hard Doug Fir plywood laminations, epoxy saturated of course. This is a bit easier than mortising solid wood blocks. Delrin sheaves. Stainless rod axles, a rope grommet and Bob's your uncle.
kefroeschner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2012, 19:17   #7
Registered User
 
Nicholson58's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Caribbean live aboard
Boat: Camper & Nicholson58 Ketch - ROXY Traverse City, Michigan No.668283
Posts: 6,353
Images: 84
Re: Classic Blocks, who makes them anymore?

check here. Stoneage Antiques the Nautical Place in Maimi. ask them for photos or tell them what you are looking for. If you are in the area, you could easily spend a very long day in this place. They have stuff you didn't know you needed.
Nicholson58 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-12-2012, 11:18   #8
Registered User
 
Blue Stocking's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: St. Georges, Bda
Boat: Rhodes Reliant 41ft
Posts: 4,131
Re: Classic Blocks, who makes them anymore?

Quote:
Originally Posted by kefroeschner View Post
I've made lots of them -- all due respect to my Friend Bruce and Hervey, but their designs, with metal straps and all are needlessly complicated. Rope strops are the way to go. Always have been and the 'Yacht Jewelery' makers are seeing the light as well.

The last batch I made with hard Doug Fir plywood laminations, epoxy saturated of course. This is a bit easier than mortising solid wood blocks. Delrin sheaves. Stainless rod axles, a rope grommet and Bob's your uncle.
Rope- stropped the running backstay blocks.
For the morticed blocks, just cut the mortice in a piece of long stock, and lay out your cheeks and fillers along the groove. Simple.
__________________
so many projects--so little time !!
Blue Stocking is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-12-2012, 17:17   #9
Registered User
 
Nicholson58's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Caribbean live aboard
Boat: Camper & Nicholson58 Ketch - ROXY Traverse City, Michigan No.668283
Posts: 6,353
Images: 84
Re: Classic Blocks, who makes them anymore?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue Stocking View Post
Rope- stropped the running backstay blocks.
For the morticed blocks, just cut the mortice in a piece of long stock, and lay out your cheeks and fillers along the groove. Simple.

Sounds really nice. How about the pictures?
Nicholson58 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-12-2012, 17:27   #10
Registered User
 
Strait Shooter's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Straits of Juan De Fuca
Boat: Orca 38
Posts: 820
Re: Classic Blocks, who makes them anymore?

Pete Langley at Port Townsend Foundry can help you I'm sure.
__________________
"Waste your money and you’re only out of money, but waste your time and you’ve lost a part of your life.” (Michael Leboeuf)
Strait Shooter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-12-2012, 17:28   #11
Registered User
 
Blue Stocking's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: St. Georges, Bda
Boat: Rhodes Reliant 41ft
Posts: 4,131
Re: Classic Blocks, who makes them anymore?

The Friendship is long gone, but have some that I made on Bluestocking. Off island for a while, will post photos when I strip them for refinishing in a few weeks.
__________________
so many projects--so little time !!
Blue Stocking is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-12-2012, 18:08   #12
Registered User
 
Nicholson58's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Caribbean live aboard
Boat: Camper & Nicholson58 Ketch - ROXY Traverse City, Michigan No.668283
Posts: 6,353
Images: 84
Re: Classic Blocks, who makes them anymore?

Ording Elm Block, Single With Becket | Ording Blocks | Blocks | Traditional Rigging | R&W Rope

I remember seeing pictures of these with sterling silver coins soldered on in place of the pin ends.





and - embedded links here: wood marine blocks - Google Search
Nicholson58 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-12-2012, 07:20   #13
Registered User

Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Blue Hill, Maine
Boat: 32' Bob Baker/Joel White Cutter (One-off wood)
Posts: 159
Arthur Dauphinee in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Will make whatever you want with a bit more of a workboat finish and a better price than European makers. He only takes orders by phone and you'd better know how to describe exactly what you want.
marujo.sortudo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-12-2012, 11:35   #14
Registered User
 
Blue Stocking's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: St. Georges, Bda
Boat: Rhodes Reliant 41ft
Posts: 4,131
Re: Classic Blocks, who makes them anymore?

Quote:
Originally Posted by marujo.sortudo View Post
Arthur Dauphinee in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Will make whatever you want with a bit more of a workboat finish and a better price than European makers. He only takes orders by phone and you'd better know how to describe exactly what you want.
x10. Old school artisans for sure.
__________________
so many projects--so little time !!
Blue Stocking is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
For Sale: Schaefer Blocks thesparrow Classifieds Archive 4 01-05-2012 14:40
Classic Boat Design / Style CoastalCowboy Monohull Sailboats 13 22-10-2011 13:20
Crew Available: Mate / Stew Chef- Cannes to Antigua for Classic Regatta Number8 Crew Archives 0 12-10-2011 03:34
Merriman Snatch Blocks Delta Fox Construction, Maintenance & Refit 9 11-10-2011 17:59

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:30.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.