GeoffS
Member
I'm planning the upgrade of my Laser's controls, so I've been reading the various articles on drLaser. One detail that I'm still not clear on is the kind of blocks that will work as the deck-blocks. I was hoping to get some additional information from those out there who have already upgraded.
Specifically, it sounds like the shackle-to-sheave distance is a critical dimension in order to have a good lead into the cleats. I would like to keep the option open to use 5mm (3/16") line for the part that ends up in my hand. This would seem to require at least a 20mm diameter sheave on the turning block. My original thought was to use a Harken 29mm carbo Tie-Lite block for low weight, low cost, and really low friction (due to the over-sized sheave). I noticed that this block isn't marked as suitable for the deck-block in the drLaser article "Blocks, Cleats and Accessories for 'Laser 2000' control systems". However, I checked the published dimensions and configurations of the 29mm carbo and some of the blocks marked for deck use, and it looks like it might work OK. Has anybody else tried it? (or any of the other 29mm carbo blocks)
In case the 29mm carbo just won't work, what alternatives do people suggest? I'm kind of predisposed to Harken (I like their engineering and attitude; they're also just down the highway from me...). In the drLaser article, only two Harken blocks are marked "D": the 16mm airblock (404) and the 22mm microblock with swivel (292). The latter seems like it would be longer between the shackle and the sheave than the 29mm carbo tie-lite (?). There is a new "Micro Forkhead Block" (http://harkenstore.com/uniface.urd/scpdinw1.ShowProd?409Z56LC51Q8U) that would seem to be nearly ideal for this application. Has anyone used it?
Cheers,
Geoff Sobering
Specifically, it sounds like the shackle-to-sheave distance is a critical dimension in order to have a good lead into the cleats. I would like to keep the option open to use 5mm (3/16") line for the part that ends up in my hand. This would seem to require at least a 20mm diameter sheave on the turning block. My original thought was to use a Harken 29mm carbo Tie-Lite block for low weight, low cost, and really low friction (due to the over-sized sheave). I noticed that this block isn't marked as suitable for the deck-block in the drLaser article "Blocks, Cleats and Accessories for 'Laser 2000' control systems". However, I checked the published dimensions and configurations of the 29mm carbo and some of the blocks marked for deck use, and it looks like it might work OK. Has anybody else tried it? (or any of the other 29mm carbo blocks)
In case the 29mm carbo just won't work, what alternatives do people suggest? I'm kind of predisposed to Harken (I like their engineering and attitude; they're also just down the highway from me...). In the drLaser article, only two Harken blocks are marked "D": the 16mm airblock (404) and the 22mm microblock with swivel (292). The latter seems like it would be longer between the shackle and the sheave than the 29mm carbo tie-lite (?). There is a new "Micro Forkhead Block" (http://harkenstore.com/uniface.urd/scpdinw1.ShowProd?409Z56LC51Q8U) that would seem to be nearly ideal for this application. Has anyone used it?
Cheers,
Geoff Sobering