Jamming Blocks

[Pernicious Atavist]

I have a set of those small, bronze 1/4 inch blocks for my main sheet, a 2:1 purchase. The twin block constantly gets jammed. It seems a lot of that would stop if it was on a swivel...but...can't find one! Would like to stay w/ bronze, of course. I'm using 1/4" line, and it gets twisted and jams, too. I'm really over this and ready (but not ready) to goto modern blocks, which would be a shame.

Ideas?

Ed

[John B]

Make the 'swivel' out of some line to allow some twist for the fair lead.say 2/3/ 4 times ?around and some half hitches on top of eachother,or other clever knotwork.Go for a 'seized' look.;)

[gkl]

You need an eye & jaw swivel. Seel this web site: www.go2marine.com (http://www.go2marine.com)

[Thorne]

I've done what John B suggests and it works well for my bronze blocks used to carry the steering lines forward from the yoke tiller. I used the faux tarred Yacht Marline from Waste Marine, but any strong synthetic line should work.

They don't show well in this photo, but I've lashed them to holes in the frame, then wrapped line around the eye and cross-knotted between that and the frame to hold the block out and avoid chafe.
http://www.luckhardt.com/newyoke3.jpg

[Pernicious Atavist]

gkl--thanks, but i need to stay with bronze, or i would have used modern stuff a long time ago!

the line idea is perfect; don't know how i missed it--it's still used on modern boats, so there's little improvement on it, huh?

thanks, guys--always the right place...

[Nick C]

I never understood sailboat blocks they are always too small relative to conventional wisdom on rope and blocks. A 1/4 inch line should have a 1/2 inch block to work the most efficiently. This reduces friction and allows the boom, jib or whatever to ride in and out faster and easier.

[Pernicious Atavist]

mine jams all the time, which will be my undoing one of these days. new lines will help, thus my faux hemp thread. the parted snotter also sent a message! now, if only i can think before launching...well...can't expect too much all at once, i guess....