I'm about to buy two ratchet blocks for the spi sheet. I'm thinking std. ratchets or smart ratchets. The std blocks are about 60% of the cost of smart blocks but will they work ok? I reason that I use a std ratchet on the mainsheet so it follows that they should also be good for the spi.
Am I missing something?
Berny

Definatley get the smart ratchets.... Worth the extra $$$

Stay away from Holt. Ronstan will do the job fine. So will Harken but for a few more $$$

We bought one of the early batches of Ronstan Smart Ratchets and they failed after a few months, along with many others from this batch. We bought a set of Holt at short notice at theevent where our Ronstan blocks failed, and the Holt failed first race.

Ronstan replaced our old ones with the new batch (they new about the problem) and for the next few years they were faultless. Our Capricorn came factory with Holt last year and the also failed at our first regatta. Goodall replaced them free of charge with Ronstan units and after 12 months, they have also been faultless.

NOTE - Recomended to wash out all smart blocks with fresh water after each use.

I have the same experience with the Ronstan smart ratchets. First batch broke easily, new batch (since 2004) is dependable and actually quite good. Even to such an extend thatI didn't saw the need to spend more on Harken and I still don't.

For spi sheet use always go for smart ractchet (or autoratchets). Makes snuffing easier and you really don't want to go down to the leeward hull when singlehanding to switch settings.

Wouter

Berny, are you getting two for each side, or two total, one for each side? Either way, the Harken Auto Ratchets are very good, never heard of one failing but I don't know how much more they cost than the Ronstan. The Harkens have an adjustable screw so you can set the amount of tension to have the ratchet come on/off. Definately worth the extra money.

I have 57mm ratchmatic carbo blocks. Best $$$ spent on the boat to date. With a 10:1 holding power at 180 degrees, you cant go wrong with them.

As others have said ratchmatic all the way.

We use a double rachets on each side with our boat. One is an auto and one regular. We like this setup for the convienience of being able to turn one off if the wind is light. We usually do not use them both until the breeze is piping over about 15.

Later,
Dan

I've got double Ronstans on the SC20 and Harkens on Flight Risk. One of the Ronstans died early, which they replaced and now another is bad. They could be the early ones. They're fine if they're not broken. And they are adjustable. Have only run the 57mm Harkens for 1 season, no problems. They do seem like a higher quality unit.

Dave

Easy to recognize. The new series Ronstan don't have flat sides but have a small bend at the top.

Wouter

I like double auto-ratchets for fun sailing, and double ratchets are a must for distance racing. However, the double ratchets can cause problems when dousing in buoy races: If you step on a spin sheet, you won't feel it with the 100:1 advantage of double blocks.

Folks with separate tack lines for their spinnaker should mount the forward block inboard of the aft block to prevent the tack line from getting sucked into it. Doing so also shortens lines and keeps lines neater especially on side-laced tramps. At least that's my theory after seeing that Lovell and Ogletree do it that way and we have regular trouble with the forward blocks immediately ahead of the aft.

Thanks guys, all good info.

I'm planning on two total, [one each side] given that currently I can hold the sheet without any ratchets. It's not comfortable, paticularly if it's blowing over 12/15k and the reach is a bit long but I can do it so I think one a side should be enough. Also, the spi is only 100sq ft.

I looked at the Holt's and the price was definitely attractive but they don't quite look 'the goods' to me. I wonder if they warrant them? Maybe they could handle the loads of a 14ftr spi? Money is tight with me presently and definitely a consideration.
In any event, thanks for the advice, I'll let you know how it turns out.
Bern.

If money is tight Berny then you should consider the Riley autoratchets as well. The have a rather good performance to price ratio and their holding power is good enough for a 100 sq. ft spi. These ratchets do have less holding power then the Ronstans and the wheels are as well developped for gripping like the Ronstan and Harkens, but they are decent. I've sailed with 4 Riley autoratchets on my F16 for quite a long time and it did work well. The ronstans are better though, but then again you pay for that.

Wouter

If $$$ is a concern, keep saving a bit longer and invest in good products that will outlast the cheaper. If you think about it, its a waste of money to buy cheaply made stuff only to replace it a season or two later down the road.

Also I beleive the harken carbo provide the best holding power to weight ratio. I know for a fact harken carbo mainsheet triple blocks are lighter than ronstans.

food for thought

I am having a pair of Harken Carbo ratchamtics each side on my new boat.

The 17 has had a set for 2 years and they have been flawless.

Expensive, Yes. But W.E.P. (or Cent)