Mainsheet Blocks question
 

Okay....we own Heart of Gold, a 1990 First 35s5. She has mid boom
sheeting and the block setup is getting tired, squeaky and just old.
I'm looking at Garhauer blocks which have working loads from 1150, 2000

and 3000 lbs each. Obviously the prices rise along with the working
loads. I'll need three singles and a double. Does anyone know what the
suggested working load limits per block might be? The 35s5 is a
fractional rig with a BIG main.

You can see the 4 older blocks he
http://hometown.aol.com/bobsprit/images/suzy2weby.jpg


Thanks for any tips!


Robert
Beneteau 35s5
NY

Mainsheet Blocks question
 

"Capt. Rob" wrote in message
ups.com...
Okay....we own Heart of Gold, a 1990 First 35s5. She has mid boom
sheeting and the block setup is getting tired, squeaky and just old.
I'm looking at Garhauer blocks which have working loads from 1150, 2000

and 3000 lbs each. Obviously the prices rise along with the working
loads. I'll need three singles and a double. Does anyone know what the
suggested working load limits per block might be? The 35s5 is a
fractional rig with a BIG main.

You can see the 4 older blocks he
http://hometown.aol.com/bobsprit/images/suzy2weby.jpg


Thanks for any tips!


Robert
Beneteau 35s5
NY


I would recommend talking with the good folks at Garhauer directly. Very
friendly and helpful folks, in my experience, and I doubt they'll steer you
wrong.

Mainsheet Blocks question
 

Very
friendly and helpful folks, in my experience, and I doubt they'll steer
you
wrong.


I plan to do that. I was sort of expecting them to suggest the top-end
blocks, so I was curious if anyone thought the lower load ones would be
fine.


Thanks,


Robert
35s5
NY

Mainsheet Blocks question
 

"Capt. Rob" wrote in message
oups.com..
..
Very
friendly and helpful folks, in my experience, and I doubt
they'll steer
you
wrong.


I plan to do that.


Then why are you asking here?

SBV

Mainsheet Blocks question
 

Call Garhauer, they're a class act. FWIW, I notice you've got Harken
blocks now so you could just look the blocks up at Harken's site and
see what the working load is. You might also try Harken's rule of
thumb formula for mainsail loading:

ML = E^2 * P^2 * 0.00431 * V^2 / (sqrt(P^2+E^2)) * (E-X)

where
ML = sheet load in lbs
E = foot length of main in feet
P = luff length of main in feet
V = wind speed in knots
X = distance from aft end of boom to mainsheet attachment in feet.

I think the mid-range 2k SWL blocks will likely work for you.

-- Tom.

Mainsheet Blocks question
 

You might also try Harken's rule of
thumb formula for mainsail loading:

ML = E^2 * P^2 * 0.00431 * V^2 / (sqrt(P^2+E^2)) * (E-X)

where
ML = sheet load in lbs
E = foot length of main in feet
P = luff length of main in feet
V = wind speed in knots
X = distance from aft end of boom to mainsheet attachment in feet.

I think the mid-range 2k SWL blocks will likely work for you.

-- Tom.


Thanks, Tom!


Robert
35s5
NY

Mainsheet Blocks question
 

On 21 Nov 2006 19:51:37 -0800, "
wrote:

FWIW, I notice you've got Harken
blocks now

Yes, that's what I was thinking.

Unless you just want to replace them for cosmetic reasons, my guess is
that they could be easily reconditioned with a fresh water rinse to
get the salt out of the bearings. Those blocks last just about
forever unless they've been seriously abused.

Mainsheet Blocks question
 

Unless you just want to replace them for cosmetic reasons, my guess is
that they could be easily reconditioned with a fresh water rinse to
get the salt out of the bearings. Those blocks last just about
forever unless they've been seriously abused.



That's yet another good point. I certainly won't toss them out if they
are good. I'll either clean them up and ebay them or keep 'em for
backup. I have a large selection of blocks that I've acquired over the
last few years....so a few more won't hurt.



Robert
35s5
NY

Mainsheet Blocks question
 

Capt. Rob wrote:
Unless you just want to replace them for cosmetic reasons, my guess is
that they could be easily reconditioned with a fresh water rinse to
get the salt out of the bearings. Those blocks last just about
forever unless they've been seriously abused.



That's yet another good point. I certainly won't toss them out if they
are good. I'll either clean them up and ebay them or keep 'em for
backup. I have a large selection of blocks that I've acquired over the
last few years....so a few more won't hurt.

So why replace them? If they may still be quite functional, what's
the point?

Mainsheet Blocks question
 

So why replace them? If they may still be quite functional, what's
the point?



Well, they ARE old and tired "looking" and who knows how well then spin
under high load after 16 years? Cosmetics are certainly a factor.
Replacing them isn't expensive. If they still work fine after cleaning
I'll trade them for a nice new Nikon lens!



Robert
35s5
NY

Mainsheet Blocks question
 

On Wed, 22 Nov 2006 08:42:23 -0500, Jeff wrote:

So why replace them? If they may still be quite functional, what's
the point?

They look a bit weathered from the picture which could be an issue for
some people. I've never tried this but suspect that a little rubbing
compound or something like Armor All would clean them up to an
acceptable level.

Mainsheet Blocks question
 

"Jeff" wrote in message
. ..
Capt. Rob wrote:
Unless you just want to replace them for cosmetic
reasons, my guess is
that they could be easily reconditioned with a fresh
water rinse to
get the salt out of the bearings. Those blocks last
just about
forever unless they've been seriously abused.



That's yet another good point. I certainly won't toss
them out if they
are good. I'll either clean them up and ebay them or
keep 'em for
backup. I have a large selection of blocks that I've
acquired over the
last few years....so a few more won't hurt.

So why replace them? If they may still be quite
functional, what's
the point?

Maybe he's worried that the guy he ''acquired'' them from
will recognize them.

SBV

Mainsheet Blocks question
 

"Dave" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 21 Nov 2006 22:19:10 -0500, "Scotty"
said:

Very
friendly and helpful folks, in my experience, and I
doubt
they'll steer
you
wrong.


I plan to do that.


Then why are you asking here?

You know the answer to that one, Scotty. BS had no
interest in what group
members recommended, but wanted to advertise the fact that
he was buying a
new pinky ring.

That's what I suspected. Ever notice how often he mentions
his boat by brand / model, instead of just saying, ''my
boat ''? Does he think it's 'special' ?

SBV

Mainsheet Blocks question
 

So why replace them? If they may still be quite functional, what's
the point?


Shucks, I've bought old boats that were rigged with Harken
blocks... stripped off the rigging & thrown the rest of the
boat away.

You can replace the bearings in them, but that's only
desireable if they've been used hard for a long time & not
had the salt (and/or other gunk) rinsed out of them often
enough.

BTW it's not a good idea to use WD-40 as a lubricant for
these kinds of things. It only makes dirt cling to the
bearing surfaces.


Wayne.B wrote:
They look a bit weathered from the picture which could be an issue for
some people. I've never tried this but suspect that a little rubbing
compound or something like Armor All would clean them up to an
acceptable level.


FSR paste.

DSK

Mainsheet Blocks question
 

"Dave" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 22 Nov 2006 11:46:53 -0500, "Scotty"
said:

Ever notice how often he mentions
his boat by brand / model, instead of just saying, ''my
boat ''? Does he think it's 'special' ?

Aw, give him a break. At least he doesn't say "my 1990
First 35s5 that I
bought for $_____."

not anymore.

Mainsheet Blocks question
 

"DSK" wrote in message
...
BTW it's not a good idea to use WD-40 as a lubricant for these kinds of
things. It only makes dirt cling to the bearing surfaces.


Yeah. McLube rules!