Cape Cutter 19 Association Forum

Hello guys,
I am thinking of changing out my halyard blocks. Mast is coming down when I get home in April to remove the epoxy and coat with Sikkens. I thought this would be a good time to renew the mast blocks. Also thinking of fitting a topping lift halyard but that another story.
Has anyone used Selden blocks?
They sell the right sizes and have good specs. PBB 50 has a SWL of 700kg
Plain bearings for static loads.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated

Are the existing blocks worn out?
I fitted a topping lift to Aurora, using the same method as Russell. A very useful upgrade http://yachtzephyr.wordpress.com/2012/04/14/topping-lift-upgrade/

I was going to change my halyard blocks but decided against it in the end. They were doing the job just fine.

Thanks for the replys.
Blocks are not worn out but not sure they were the bestest best quality in the first place. I just want to be pro active and have blocks that I can bet on. We have already had one deck block fail (looks like a common problem). Both blocks have been converted now using 316 eye nuts and allen bolts.
That ruined our days sailing on a calm day. Would not like this sort of thing to happen far from home or on a less than calm day.
I have changed the topping lift on Ladybird already. Fixed eye on the port side of the boom, topping lift goes up and through a block on the mast band, back down to a horn cleat on the stb'd side. End of the topping lift is secured to the horn cleat in the low position. When I need to raise the boom I lift it and make turns around the horn cleat. It is a quick job. Thought about running a halyard line down through the stb'd deck block and through a jam cleat but not sure it would be any quicker. Also thought about fitting a cheek block on the stb'd side of the boom and running the halyard line through a jam cleat along the boom. Down side of this is another piece of dangling rope when the boom is up.
Things to ponder
Tiller pilot is next on the list.

New PBB50 Selden blocks on order .
Close inspection of the originals when we took the mast down, showed they needed changing. I went to visit the Uk distributer, Solent Spars in Swanwick Marina and got some good advice. Got a very good price from Force4. Happy days. Will be fitted with the new tan yankee at the weekend.
Ian

Selden blocks fitted. These are a quality product
Happy days
Ian