No doubt, Rick should be considered an expert on the Hobie 18. He was sailing one back in the 18's heyday also. I've raced against Rick and Mary on 18's both in Florida and at Division 10 regattas. But I'll bet if you asked him, even Rick would agree that there have been thousands, maybe millions more blown tacks caused by the inability to uncleat the stock Seaway jib blocks than by an Ochsen block jamming. In ten years of using Ochsen blocks, I've had two failures, one where the block jammed and wouldn't release, and one where it wouldn't lock. We were able to get the blocks repaired both times. Shoot, before we started using Ochsens, we used to blow about two tacks a race.
<br>Yes, they are expensive. But what isn't, anymore?<br><br>