What does this bit do?

[Ru88ell]

Zephyr's blocks have been around a bit, and I was thinking of renewing ahead of the season. That means throat and peak halyard blocks, jib and staysail blocks, and I want to rig up a better boom raising system. However, looking at what I need I can't seem to find 'like for like' in the Barton ball bearing range. The peak and jib halyard blocks have what looks like an extension piece in them (the bit with black tape). Is it necessary, or can I connect the swivel directly to the s/steel bracket?

[Dennis]

Hello Russell

I think the short "extension" piece on your peak halyard block is probably to prevent the halyard/block rubbing against the mast. The peak halyard moves around a lot when sailing. If the stainless steel link/bracket is tightly bolted to the mast (so that it cannot move) the block will sometimes rub against the mast, (particularly when the mainsail is reefed).

I found that this link/bracket used to work loose and swivel on the bolt, moving from side to side when you changed tack. Consequently it used to wear the paint off the mast (and allow the possibility of water penetration).

I have solved this problem on Mary Ann by removing the link/bracket and replacing the plain nut (on the through mast bolt) with an eye nut (with a 6mm nylon spacer washer between the eye nut and the mast), and attaching the peak halyard block directly to the eye nut. This has not worked loose after two seasons use. I have retained the link/bracket on the forward side of the mast for the genoa block.

Alternatively I could have used an eye bolt, but I just happened to have the correct size eye nut available in my spares box. However be aware that the SWL of eyebolts vary enormously depending on whether they solid forged (expensive) or fabricated (cheap).

There should be no problem with the jib or genoa halyard blocks, as they should not move during use. Mine are fitted directly to the hounds fitting and link/bracket respectively.

With regard to the throat halyard, I connect that to the hounds fitting with a 18" (approx.) stainless steel wire strop. This keeps the throat halyard block well clear of the double block which I have attached directly to hounds fitting for my lazy-jack/topping lift arrangement. This has the added advantage of reducing the windage:D of the throat halyard.

Hope that helps!

I am just off to my garage now to start "touching up" the varnish on the various spars and looking forward to launching Mary Ann for her fourth season in March.

Cheers

Dennis

CC19 #100 Mary Ann

[Ru88ell]

Thanks Dennis. I spoke to Bob at HM and he says he just fastens the swivel directly to the s/s tang, and says the extension isn't needed. I'll give it a try without.