Sail, Rope and Rigging

Here’s a case of grand-prix trickle-down you can benefit from: Lewmar’s new Grand Prix Carbon Fiber 99 winch was specifically designed for the Open 60 and Volvo 70 classes, but it can also handle the loads generated by other large, powerful yachts. The unit’s drum diameter is just under 9 inches; the winch offers a power ratio of 101:1 and has a wide bearing track to accept lines and sheets from

Blocks are rarely noticed—unless they fail or slow you down. Ronstan’s new Orbit blocks are both light and strong, thanks to their polymer-and-fiber construction, and are packed with enough features and options that you’ll notice them. There are currently 18 configurations of Series 55 blocks that are aimed at a variety of applications on boats into the 30-foot range; larger 70mm Orbit blocks are

Looking for a lightweight, silky-smooth block that won’t shy away from a serious workout? Schaefer’s new M-Series blocks come in three sizes (66mm, 82mm, and 100mm) with five attachment options (singles, webbing/lashing singles, stand-up spring, halyard lead, and foot blocks). The blocks feature Torlon rollers and Delrin ball bearings in the sheave. This combination, coupled with a

Knot tying isn’t easy, especially if you have small hands. With Nite Ize’s new Figure 9 rope tightener you can easily secure a dinghy to a car-top rack. Simply put the boat on your car, set up the closed-loop end of the Figure 9 (instructions are engraved on the aluminum device), pull tight, and drop the cord’s moving end into the Figure 9’s teeth. Two sizes accommodate rope diameters between 2

Camcleats can be awkward to release under load, which is worrying when there’s a squall line bearing down on you. Spinlock claims its new PXR camcleat is the “easiest cleat to release.”It features a three-stage adjustable spring; you preset lighter settings for lines that are constantly adjusted and use stronger settings for seldom-tuned lines like halyards. The PXR comes in two sizes;

Sometimes you see an idea that’s so elegant in its simplicity that all you can say is, “Damn, why didn’t I think of that?” Seldn’s $155 Backstay Flicker is just such an item. It’s a fiberglass rod that bolts to the masthead crane on a fractionally rigged boat with a heavily roached main—the kind that always hangs up on the backstay. At its outer end is a small block through which the backstay is

Most boats don’t behave as well when anchored with rope rode as they do when lying to chain. They tend to sheer about much more, especially in wind-against-tide scenarios, which is bad for your nerves—and those of your neighbors. One way of coping with this is to set a riding sail on the backstay to help keep the bow pointed into the wind. You could make one of these yourself, or you could order

Labor-saving devices like headsail and mainsail furlers and powered anchor windlasses have become commonplace on sailboats as small as 30 feet, so it’s not surprising that the quest for an easier life is extending even further. Powered sheet winches have long been the rage on cruising boats of 50 feet and up, but this technology too has filtered downward. Lewmar’s L34 lays claim to being the

Facnor says that lessons it has learned installing custom gear on top ocean-racing boats have been applied to its new headsail furlers for boats from 20 to 90 feet. The LX has a “bearing box” at the drum and head swivels, each containing two polymer bearings that reportedly spread loads evenly. A rotating tack fitting allows the furler drum and head to turn before the twin-groove luff extrusion,