Halyard turning block failure

[GRIMSHAW]

Has anybody else experienced any problems with the HM fitted turning block fittings for the foresails or gaff halyards? Yesterday when raising and tensioning the staysail the double block swivel pulled through the deck mounting plate. As I was still on the mooring there was no great damage done and a repair was effected with a bolt and locknut replacing the rivet ended pin but it could have been a nuisance at sea with loss of foresails or mainsail and /or damage to spinlocks which would be subjected to a shock load at an angle for which they aren't designed. There have been occasions in the past when I tensioned the mainsail luff or jib using winch power ; I will hesitate to do so again.

[Dennis]

It seems to be a common failure.

Check the photo albums for " Halcyon" and " Herr Nilsson" for solutions.

Cheers

Dennis

[Chris Wicks]

Hi, Also in this section look at general heading, 'gear failure'. It is now on page 2 of the subject listings...

Having done a repair to the failed turning block it has held for the subsequent 2 seasons. But a better product from HM would be welcome. (I would rather fit a replacement upgraded part using the original deck holes).

Then take a look at the tabernackle welded fixing point for the kicking strap. I would stongly recommend a modification here to prevent failure.

Cheers
Chris

[GRIMSHAW]

Many Thanks Chris and Dennis. I must confess that I hadn't looked so far back on the technical threads. As you say a stronger HM fitting would be the best solution if Bob hasn't already taken on board any previous comments on this topic. I'll have another look at the kicking strap fitting too.
Graham

[Dennis]

Hello again Graham

Your post jogged my memory. There was a simple modification using the original HM mounting for the halyard turning blocks on the old Yahoo Forum. Here is a link to the message: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/capecutter19/message/349

There are also two photographs in the "Zephyr" album on that forum of the mod.

Hope this helps

Dennis

[David Hudson]

On Tokoloshe primary sail halyards are lead through mast foot upright lead blocks to deck organisers; (backed by muckle polycarbonate backing plates); then to Spinlock clutches forward of the the cockpit. Have a look at my Tokoloshe photoghraphs.

Secondary foresail halyard: Staysail halyard tension method tba!

David hudson

Tokoloske 111

[David Hudson]

On Tokoloshe all halyards are led through upright blocks and deck organisers;
(backed by muckle polycarbonate backing plates); to the cockpit.
The maths is frightening.

Have a look at my Tokoloshe photoghraphs.

Primary foresail: Genoa and Yankee halyards are led through upright block and deck organiser.

Staysail: halyard tension method tba!

[oak]

Yes David,I noticed the revised lay out .Thought it looked rather good,not that anything has pulled out yet on Merlin.
pretty sloppy harbour stow though
Jack

[David Hudson]

Ah. that would be the gennaker sheet and the line for my water cooler bag!


David
Tokoloshe111

[Malcolm Sadler]

If I may resurrect this string, I have good news.

I too suffered failure of the gaff halyards turning block - on Ullswater in a lF4 so able to lower sail and motor home easily. I had a ‘temporary’ fix done by the excellent and infinitely helpful Pete at Glenredding which has been fine for the last 3 years, but fearful the port side fitting may fail too I have been looking in a sporadic sort of way for a stronger replacement. There are all sorts of solutions of course but I wanted to use the original bolts and backing plate to avoid drilling more holes in my coach roof and inviting more leaks.

So I have looked everywhere for a fitting with the same square plate footprint with identically spaced bolt holes. I finally gave up on the UK and wrote to BG Boats in South Africa to ask what they could supply. They told me they had a fitting which is stronger than the one they supplied to HM so I ordered some. They have just arrived and are (assuming the bolt holes line up as they appear to do) just right and so much better than the flimsy original. I will attempt to put up a photo.

If anyone else wants to upgrade their turning block deck fittings, there could be a bulk order which might shave a few pounds off the unit price (about £8 incl £3.50 delivery per item).

I suppose this was one small benefit of not being able to sail for much of this season - time to track down the elusive website of BG and enter into a quite lengthy correspondence with them. I have all the contact details if anyone needs them.

All the best

Malcolm