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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Mainsheet blocks

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BernieM
1st Mate

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29 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/03/2011 : 07:01:28

I'm thinking about replacing my old, worn out mainsheet blocks and I was wondering if anyone has a suggestion on what to use. I've looked at the kits that CD sells, and the Harken carbo set looks pretty nice. Anyone tried these or are there better options somewhere else? My current fiddle block with cam cleat is very hard to release which makes sheeting out a real pain. It is definitely a two handed job to release and recleat, which isn't optimal considering I don't have a third arm to handle the tiller.

Bernie

1983 C25 TR/FK #3501 "Songbird"
Sailing on Atwood Lake, Sherrodsville, OH

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Joe Diver
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1218 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2011 : 08:11:24

Those things aren't cheap. I need a boom vang, and the cost of building my own is the same, or more, than the one from CD simply because that fiddle block with Beckett and cam is so dang expensive.

Can you take yours apart, clean it, or replace anything worn out? I did that with my traveler car, and polished the tube....made my traveler work like new.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2011 : 08:27:35

Harken or Garhauer, either one is good. I prefer the Harken Carbo Airblocks, but if you do not race seriously the standard harken blocks work very well. Actually, I have a spare main sheet/boom vang tackle that I was going to hold for use with our A-frame. I think it is Harken. I'm going to the boat today, so I'll get it and take a pic for you. Haven't thought about a price yet since I just read this thread, so I'll have to give that some thought. I know it has a fiddle block with cam, maybe a becket too, but I can't remember if it has a single or fiddle block on the other end.

Also, can you change the cam angle, looks odd in the pic above.

You might also check Ebay for fiddle blocks and boom vangs. There's a vang offered with spintech blocks for about $88.

Edited by - dmpilc on 06/03/2011 08:44:25

sfsmith
Navigator

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USA
123 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2011 : 08:40:38

Mine was jamming at times and, even worse, releasing on its own. I took the cams apart, cleaned about a pound of spider webs out of each one, lubricated them with Teflon spray and reassembled them. Not exactly like new, but they work much better.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2011 : 09:02:02

It sounds like your issue is with the cam cleat and not the blocks. I'd imagine you could replace that for a whole lot less than new blocks. Do the sheaves spin freely when they're not under load? Once you have the cam released, do you still have problems sheeting? If not, I'd bet the problem with the blocks is purely a cosmetic one.

BTW, do you pull and lift when releasing the cams or just try to lift the line straight up? If pulling on the cam doesn't open them, you probably need a new cam.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2011 : 10:25:21

My fiddle block is set up so a downward pull releases the line with a horizontal and above pull setting the sheet. Looking at your block, it appears to be set up so you need to pull mostly upwards to set the line?

Edited by - dlucier on 06/03/2011 10:36:48

BernieM
1st Mate

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29 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2011 : 10:26:50

Are the cam cleat replacements mostly interchangeable? I tried finding the brand marked on the fiddle block, and I wasn't able to find anything.

Once I finally get the sheet released from the cams, it seems to sheet in and out freely, so I suppose the sheaves are fine.

John: I have to pull and yank downward on the sheet to release from the cam.I am able to sheet in while it is engaged in the cam cleat, so I guess it still halfway works-just not well.

I'll try taking them apart this weekend and see if I can get it freed up any better. I just started racing this season and it was pretty irritating trying to make adjustments.

Do the more expensive blocks provide a noticable performance enhancement, or is it brand/cosmetic appeal that makes it so expensive for those carbo airblocks?

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2011 : 11:19:55

I buy blocks on ebay. Mainsheets and vangs should be Harken, the adjustablility of the cleat angle is critical and Harkens do that very well. Ratcheting is a nice touch but does not really matter. What you have now is an odd ball POS, make sure you stay with standard fiddle blocks. Garhauer cleat angles are not adjustable, stay away from Garhauer for purchases, it is an OK brand for single blocks but are really made cheaply. I had to settle for a Garhauer genoa car on my new boat and it is cheap crap.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2011 : 13:17:02

Nice to know I'm bidding against good company on ebay . . . I think

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2011 : 14:41:14

I checked the spare block & tackle on my boat. It consists of 2 aluminum Schaefer Series 3 fiddle blocks, in like new condition, one with cam and becket, both with snap Shackles. The cam is not adjustable. They are worth $225-250 new. I would want $175.
Quite frankly, I agree with Frank that you would be better off getting a Harken fiddle/becket/cam block. With the forward sloping angle of the mainsheet, you really do need the adjustable cam.

Also, check this out on Ebay, a Scheafer fiddle with cam & becket for $73.00 "Buy It Now" price. might work for you:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Schaefer-Aluminum-Fiddle-Block-w-Adjustable-Cam-Becket-/250827830618?pt=Boat_Parts_Accessories_Gear&hash=item3a6680f55a

Edited by - dmpilc on 06/03/2011 14:51:54

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2011 : 10:06:40

Take a look at defender.com They have some lewmar triple and double 50 and 60 mm synchro (brand) blocks that will handle 3/8 line and the cost is reasonable. We put triples on the old c-25 and the main sheet worked like a charm in heavy air at 5:1. In really light air we took the line off some of the sheaves and ran at 3:1

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BernieM
1st Mate

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29 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2011 : 14:44:56

Do the lewmar blocks have the adjustable cam angle similar to the harken?

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.