Class Politics New mainsheet blocks?

Pardon me while I get a bit testy here...

It won't be Harken that is laughing. It will be PSE.

Instead of using off-the shelf blocks where there is price competition, PSE insists on having the blocks "custom" which means the price is going to be whatever PSE says it will be (by avoiding any competition and Harken will have no say in the price we the sailors pay)

For example - look at the Holt Allen trav blocks (which you can buy at a discount from a stocking HA dealer) vs what the builder supplied blocks go for. Same basic block.. (Prices quoted on the APS site)

Vanguard Upper (Large) Traveler Block - $19.50
HA27874 Upper (Large) Traveler Block$11.60

Vanguard Lower (Small) Traveler Block - $13.15
HA17874 Lower (Small) Traveler Block$8.10

Yes, and of course APS bought those same blocks direct from Holt. The other blocks passed through Vanguard/Laser Performance enroute to APS so there is an extra level of overhead built into the price (where some of that overhead helps support the dealer network - of which APS is a part - we take so for granted here in North America, like many of the other things that Vanguard did to try to support dinghy sailing in North America).

And of course, some of it went to line Vanguard's pockets. In fact, Vanguard was reaping so much of a profit from all of us that their stock holders decided last summer to do some "industry consolidation" with PSE.

There is also that pesky one design principle of the Laser which, apprarently, we also seem to take for granted. That's the one where you can show up to any regatta and YOU can tell, by simple visual inspection, that everyone else is sailing a Laser with legal equipment. No need to fly in a measurer, tack an extra day on the event for measurement, pay for it with increased entry fees, etc. Just show up and race, you against the other sailors. A really beautiful concept.

A problem I have with using "off the shelf" items is that no two blocks are exactly alike and we've already determined that a critical measurement is how high off the deck the end of the boom lies. If strictly limited to production blocks (ie no custom equipment) then I'd imagine the world would quickly arrive at a single manufacturer and model of block. In the end, what have you gained? I'll bet the "best" blocks will end up being high end models, in the end you won't have saved any money, etc.


Ok, testy mode off...
 
I agree with pretty much all the above, I wasn't clear enough in what I was saying. I wasn't trying to say it should be a free choice amongst the sailors, but I can see how it could be read that way..

I would prefer if the class could decide to use specific, already existing blocks by one hardware maker (or two - just so there was a global supply and all the eggs aren't in one basket if that's important to the class)


ok, dreaming mode off...
 
Do they have salt in Lake Travis?

Last summer we had an assortment of old salts from all over North America....and thanks for coming.

I feel I have done my duty as an old measurer / officer/ employee/ Laser sailor/ and perennial regatta host to protect the one design concept of the Laser by screaming bloody murder, asking why, throwing up endless unreasonable hurdles and objections, pointing fingers at everybody, and even suggesting conspiracies until everybody who has invested time and consideration in the proposed change has become sick of responding.

It seems the "improvement" is inevitable and will not harm the game.

I will now shut up and hope the promoters will get over their frustrations from my impassioned objections to the block change before they see me using and enoying the new products.
 
Hi,
like others, from time to time I already use ball-beared mainsheet blocks at the the Laser. Yes, my opinion, goes also into the direction: send those blocks, that at the Laser are in use in the moment, to retirement.

The ball-beared blocks I use come from Germany (Manufacturer: "Sprenger"). I have them in use for over 30 years and they work realy fine. They only need a bit teflon-spray from time to time. Over the last years, intensive tests here have shown, blocks of Sprenger are in all much better and cheaper than those of Harken. Nothing to say against Harken, but we have a saying to those goods: they are "the Mercedes/Porsche" under the manufacturers (like Musto or Henry Lyoyd).
I wouldn't wonder if also others say: "Take blocks of Ronstan or Wichard etc. etc. etc. ...."

Since someone special, that left TLF some years ago, did say: "The Laser now has become an experimental sailing class ... " I am sceptical about the aspect: Do the manufacturers or LaserPerformance again want to put their sticky-fingers into our wallets or not. Why do I have such an opinion? Well, only see at the past and have a view (especially at the old continent Europe) how much the price of the single big basical-block of the XD-vang of the manufacturer Harken did rised here. In 2004 the price at the list has been 150 Euros (~200 US$ at that time). Now it does cost 193 Euro (actually: 281 US$). Take your calculator and count the %-tual rising ... Reason for that: The actual pricing-strategy of the Laserbuilder LaserPerformance and not the manufacturer Harken or the Laser stores. ...

We, the Laser-sailors have one big problem / dilemma: We sail a strictly design dinghy and now are in a sort of "big" change to better and more durable sailing goods. If "we" (aka the Laser class and their official representatives) allow others, than only one manufacturer, to produce any goods for our lovely boat, the will have a never ending discussion about differences between those goods.
F.e.: See the never ending discussions about the sails (North/Hyde) or the vang (Holt / Harken). But to the other side: I criticize here: already to say: "The new blocks definitely come from "Ferrari"-Harken, which ones do you want of them?" is not okay.

Summary: New blocks for the Laser: "Yes, Sir", that's what we desire. But "WE" should decide what manufacturer is the one we trust most, not the patent-holders or the folks that try to put their hands in our pockets (=LaserPerformance) . The Laser class has the power to change the class rules, haven't we?
For me, I use on my old ball-beared blocks, if I don't race. If I race, I'm very good able to live also with ball-beared blocks that come from Holt or Ronstan or Sprenger or whoever, if the price is lower than those really horrible expensive / "golden"- blocks of Harken.

Ciao
LooserLu
 
Hi,
like others, from time to time I already use ball-beared mainsheet blocks at the the Laser. Yes, my opinion, goes also into the direction: send those blocks, that at the Laser are in use in the moment, to retirement.
I've wanted an alternative to those over-priced, cheap-assed, POS Holt blocks for years,

I also used a pair of Harken blocks for awhile when one of my traveler blocks crapped out. I forget which ones I used (they just came out of my tool box), but I connected them together with some thin Spectra so the distance between the traveler and boom was the same as the Holts. They worked great, and I only replaced them when I got a new Holt block on "fire sale" discount at a local dealer.

I'm not so concerned that the replacements be cheaper than the Holts (they can't be that much more - it's just two blocks after all). I agree 100% that there can be no gross performance improvement (ex. boom-height advantage).

If we're going to the trouble of spec'ing new blocks, I'd also like to see boom-blocks that can be replaced without removing the eye-straps attached to the boom. That's one of the most PITA maintenance tasks on the Laser. It's way too much effort to replace one of the blocks on the boom - it shouldn't take more than a couple of minutes with simple hand-tools.

Cheers,

Geoff S.
 
Changing my mind here>

I think if we are going to change blocks we ought to absolutely choose blocks that DO IMPROVE the performance of the boat.

One of the problems with a Laser is the blocks are too tall and the boom cannot be pulled low enough .

The result is we use too much vang and bend our booms. Allowing new blocks will cause all the serious racers to switch to the new blocks. Those who do not care about the minor improvement will still be hapy sailing with the old blocks.
If everybody who races must spend some money, We may as well improve the boat while we are at it. and save money in the long term too...by saving our booms.

Among other excuses for making the blocks lower?
1. Smaller sailors will be more able to compete without using as absurd amounts of vang and ruining their booms.
2. Fewer booms bent means fewer total dollars spent by the sailors.
3. The mainsheet will be a better control line if it can be used to pull the boom through a wider range of motion.
4. Fat dudes will be caused to lose weight and be more healthy as climbing under the boom will require a thinner body.

So...I believe the restriction on "same size as the old blocks" is counterproductive and not good for the long term survival of the Laser sailing game.

It certainly seems like we could gain something by telling prospective Laser sailors:>>>

"We are constantly improving the entire boat while considering the impact on those who own older Lasers.
In 2008 we changed to modern smaller boom blocks which are more durable and allow the boat to be controlled without using as much tension on the boom vang.
This improvement not only helps owners of newer boats but it is especially important for those who find and sail the first 100,000 Lasers which were not supplied with specially reinforced booms."


Let's make the boiom blocks as low aspect as possible.

IN fact... While we are revisiting the rigging....Perhaps we should consider a "baleless" boom block and a new rigging system where the dead end of the mainsheet can be tied around the boom.
 
It won't be Harken that is laughing. It will be PSE.

Instead of using off-the shelf blocks where there is price competition, PSE insists on having the blocks "custom" which means the price is going to be whatever PSE says it will be (by avoiding any competition and Harken will have no say in the price we the sailors pay)

For example - look at the Holt Allen trav blocks (which you can buy at a discount from a stocking HA dealer) vs what the builder supplied blocks go for. Same basic block.. (Prices quoted on the APS site)

Vanguard Upper (Large) Traveler Block - $19.50
HA27874 Upper (Large) Traveler Block$11.60

Vanguard Lower (Small) Traveler Block - $13.15
HA17874 Lower (Small) Traveler Block$8.10

That's very interesting. I just looked at my new traveler blocks and they are labeled with the HA part number...no Laser logo, etc. What's to keep everyone from ordering and using the identical, cheaper HA parts, and saving $$?

Mike S
 
If we're going to the trouble of spec'ing new blocks, I'd also like to see boom-blocks that can be replaced without removing the eye-straps attached to the boom. That's one of the most PITA maintenance tasks on the Laser. It's way too much effort to replace one of the blocks on the boom - it shouldn't take more than a couple of minutes with simple hand-tools.

Cheers,

Geoff S.


Thats the key, I'm freakin tired of drilling out rivets, and possibly having to replace my whole boom because I messed it up. In all honesty, the blocks should just be tied on




Changing my mind here>

I think if we are going to change blocks we ought to absolutely choose blocks that DO IMPROVE the performance of the boat.
.

IN fact... While we are revisiting the rigging....Perhaps we should consider a "baleless" boom block and a new rigging system where the dead end of the mainsheet can be tied around the boom.

sounds reasonable to me
 
I'm not sure if "The Gov" is being sarcastic or not (that's a compliment, BTW), but if we're going to make changes, maybe we could toss out the custom Harken fabrication and just use something off-the-shelf:
353.jpg

http://www.harkenstore.com/uniface.urd/scpdinw1.ShowProd?409Z56LC7BER6

:confused:
 
My comments about improving the functionality and lessening the stress on the boom were absolutely serious.
After seriously considering the possibilities and what I believe would be the real impact to the game and to the amount of sailor's money which would be spent...

The very best course of action is:
Make a change in the blocks that will best serve the game of Lasering over the next 20 years.

Either have a custom block made with an agreement from the manufacturer that the "known market which is the Laser" will make that block priced less than an off the shelf item.

Or

Write a class rule that says: The distance from the lower side of the traveler line to the boom shall be no less than "X" millimeters and open the block choice to the user.
 
My comments about improving the functionality and lessening the stress on the boom were absolutely serious.
Either way - it's still a good idea! ;)
Write a class rule that says: The distance from the lower side of the traveler line to the boom shall be no less than "X" millimeters and open the block choice to the user.
Better would be to spec. the minimum distance from the deck to the bottom of the boom when sheeted in fully. It's easier to measure and really the distance you want to control.

Minor quibble: Your suggestion would allow someone (potentially) to sheet tighter by making the diameter of the traveler-block smaller (i.e. reducing the distance between the lower side of the traveler line and the deck).

Cheers,

Geoff S.
 
Just curious - in a "unintended consequences" sense, does anyone want to hazard a guess about the effect of allowing a lower boom (and thus higher traveler load) on the traveler fairleads?
 
I'm not sure if "The Gov" is being sarcastic or not (that's a compliment, BTW), but if we're going to make changes, maybe we could toss out the custom Harken fabrication and just use something off-the-shelf:
353.jpg

http://www.harkenstore.com/uniface.urd/scpdinw1.ShowProd?409Z56LC7BER6

:confused:


there ya go!!

and those Sprenger blocks that LooserLu was talking about look comparable to Schaefer in the US, which is way bottom of the berrel, way below Harken and Ronstan, dont mean to rain on your parade LooserLu, you know I love ya! And thanks for all the help with Kiel!
 
OK, here's a specific (aka "straw man") suggestion using Harken blocks and West Marine prices just "for example".

  1. Eliminate the requirement that the boom outhaul fairlead is a "turning point" in the outhaul system. Tie a Harken 16mm AirBlock (p/n 404 - $11) tight to fairlead for the outhaul line.
  2. Remove under-boom eye-strap and attach a 40mm Ti-Lite block (p/n 2651 - 25) tight against the boom with the lacing running around the boom and through the outhaul fairlead.
  3. Use the aforementioned 40/29 mm combo block to bridge the traveler and mainsheet (p/n 2649 - $30).
For a total list-price outlay of $66 you have a complete "off the shelf" modern boom-end mainsheet system. As a bonus, you get a freer-running outhaul.

If the distance between the boom and deck is too small (for some TBD spec.), tie the boom-block more loosely until you're legal.

Dimensions on the forward boom-block are less important (since it doesn't contribute to any critical dimension that I know of), so I'd suggest opening it up to any block (much like the spec. for the ratchet-block is written). I'd probably use a 40mm Carbo block with a shackle (p/n 2636 - $25) hung from the existing eye-strap. For a bit more work (or with a new boom), you could flip the eye-strap to the top of the boom and use a Ti-Lite if you wanted. An advantage of that would be a much lower, and purely shear, load on the eye-strap, so rivets would be fine option. If you believe the "bigger diameter blocks have less resistance" would be helpful, you could use a 57mm Carbo block there.

Cheers,

Geoff S.
 
sounds good to me

but I do beleive that you are already allowed to do #1, or at least tie a block to it, in some fashion, which I've never found necessary, but what ever
 
sounds good to me
Yeah, but you're just easy... :rolleyes:

but I do beleive that you are already allowed to do #1, or at least tie a block to it
Nope. :(

The outhaul control line shall be attached to either the end of the boom, the outhaul fairlead, the sail, or a quick release system, and shall pass through the boom outhaul fairlead as a moving line at least once. The outhaul fairlead shall be at least one of the maximum of 6 “Turning Points”...
 
If we're going to the trouble of spec'ing new blocks, I'd also like to see boom-blocks that can be replaced without removing the eye-straps attached to the boom. That's one of the most PITA maintenance tasks on the Laser. It's way too much effort to replace one of the blocks on the boom - it shouldn't take more than a couple of minutes with simple hand-tools.

Cheers,

Geoff S.

I don't disagree with this and agree its a pain in the rear... however, one advantage of the blocks being rather permanently attached to the boom is that its harder for them to get "borrowed" from your boom when you are not around.
 
which is why you be a smart person, and take care of your gear and be responsible
 
Thats the key, I'm freakin tired of drilling out rivets, and possibly having to replace my whole boom because I messed it up. In all honesty, the blocks should just be tied on

Or just a clevis pin (or a screw type clevis pin). I agree with the comments about the boom ones being replaceable without replacing the boom eye. Very important.

Ian
 
Or just a clevis pin (or a screw type clevis pin). I agree with the comments about the boom ones being replaceable without replacing the boom eye. Very important.

Ian

Why is replacement such a factor? I thought the blocks were gonna last!!

Further...The rivets work loose in about a year no matter what. Once you change the strap's fasteners to #10 machine screws and nylon insert lock nuts, future block replacement ( which won't be needed any because the new blocks are gonna last) requires no drilling.

Low aspect blocks...get the load off the vang.

if the traveler eyes still bust loose...redesign those so there is only one fat fastener and it is bolted through the gunwale.
 
Why is replacement such a factor? I thought the blocks were gonna last!!

But they wont do me any good on my boom until I actually get them on. Much easier for me to get them on without having to drill out rivets, etc.

Why is replacement such a factor? I thought the blocks were gonna last!!

Further...The rivets work loose in about a year no matter what.

But I have a European boom (recognised as being totally superior in all respects and significantly faster:D) - and after a year my boom eyes are still totally solid.

Ian
 
My boat has its original European boom...and after 18 years my boom eyes are still totally solid...my boom blocks are starting to look pretty ratty though.
 
My boat has its original European boom...and after 18 years my boom eyes are still totally solid...my boom blocks are starting to look pretty ratty though.


Damn junky blocks. Look bad in only 18 years?? How disgusting!!
Hurry world council. Hurry Harken!! Get some new blocks designed and approved before those 18 year old blocks fail!!!


and if you are swapping out the old blocks for the new durable set??? How do you get them off without taking out at least one rivet??
Don't suggest sawing them in half as we might need spares in sometime more than 18 years.

Meanwhile. Here are some fun blocks>>>

a_1141.100-colored-blocks.jpg
 
Either have a custom block made with an agreement from the manufacturer that the "known market which is the Laser" will make that block priced less than an off the shelf item.

Or

Write a class rule that says: The distance from the lower side of the traveler line to the boom shall be no less than "X" millimeters and open the block choice to the user.

Sounds like a good idea. Use a small, wire block for the traveler line, and the 29mm block for the mainsheet while we're at it, too. I like the approach of an aft boom block without a becket, too.
 
One of the problems with a Laser is the blocks are too tall and the boom cannot be pulled low enough .

The result is we use too much vang and bend our booms. Allowing new blocks will cause all the serious racers to switch to the new blocks. Those who do not care about the minor improvement will still be hapy sailing with the old blocks.
If everybody who races must spend some money, We may as well improve the boat while we are at it. and save money in the long term too...by saving our booms.

hmm... I didn't think people used "ridiculous" amounts of vang until they were sheeting out... at that point, does the size of the traveller blocks matter anymore?
 
Dang.....You saw through my scam. But it got us an through entire new page.

I was just trying to spice up the discussion a bit..
 
i had rivets coming off a boom from a year old (european) now i drill the rivets out when i buy them and put small bolts in them, everlasting and simple to change the blocks
 
If you want to change the mainheet arrangement why not allow it to be dead-ended at the traveller so it is 1:1 ? (would give much more direct feel and save lots of sheet recovery at the bottom mark, and could be attached to a simple SS ring or very low profile single traveller block to let you sheet even closer to the deck)

Frankly some relief on the cost of new race competitive sails should be considered as a far higher priority by members/owners - currently if you need a new sail the Rooster 8.1 with extension is just about as cheap as Intensity training sails and both are nearly half the price of regular Laser sails. There is also up to AUD $200.00 difference between new North and Hyde Laser sails in OZ and while a new sail only costs around 12.5% of a brand new boat it can represent up to 50% of the value of many club racing boats and two to three times annual club membership etc..
 
well this topic got big and died quickly

any chance of pics Tracy?
 
He's got a million of them, Ross.

Well if he does, I hope he gives them away. Even if they break more often than the old blocks, Tracy will never use up a million.
He would have to spend his entire sailing budget on a storage shed. You know those don't come cheap in San Francisco.

And..If we get new long lasting Blocks. Will Blockbuster Video no longer offer sponsorship for our regattas??

And. If we get really long lasting blocks will our quarterbacks have more time to pass??
 

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