Replace turning blocks at mast base

[Al Goodman]

Has anyone replaced the turning blocks at the base of the mast? On my 1989 Hunter 28, there is an aluminum(?) collar at the base of the mast with 6 or so holes in it. There are a few turning blocks which have a threaded head pin on a swivel--the pin is inserted in the hole on the collar and scrwws into a nut which slides underneath the collar. In replacing a cracked block, I find that nonel of the new blocks (Harken, Ronstan, Schaefer) have a similar threaded-pin as an option for attaching the block. So, what's one to do? Any sailors with a similar arrangement for attaching blocks at the mast base?

 

[Miles]

What I did...

I ran into the same issue when adding a turning block for my spinnaker halyard. You might be able to get the official blocks from Hunter but you are correct that none of the big manufacturers makes a block like you need. I got a large eye-bolt, a nut, and a few washers. Attach the eye bolt to the mast step with the nut (use a washer on the underside depending on clearance) and then shackle the regular block to the eye bolt. It's worked out fine on my 340 for a year or two now. Good luck!

 

[Steve Dion]

What mast do you have?

Al:What mast do you have?Check out Rig-rite in Rhode Island. They have parts for some of the older spars. If you do not see it on their website you may want to call Seco too.www.rig-rite.com

 

[Al Goodman]

Thanks Miles and Steve Dion

I followed up on both of your replies. The eyebolt idea would work--in fact I thought of it while at West Marine staring at the hardware around the block display and looking for some piece of hardware to attach to a 'normal' block fitting.. None of the eyebolts were short enough, so I'd have to cut them down. HOWEVER, Steve's suggestion was cleaner! Yes, Rig-rite does sell OEM blocks for my mast which is a Z-Spars. I can replace the blocks for $55 each; but I went one step further and contacted US Spars, the US presence for Z-Spars, which actually manufactures the blocks. So I found the identical block at $21 each. It pays to buy directly. Thanks Steve and Miles for your suggestions.

 

[Lee]

Turning Blocks

The blocks you describe are for the ZSpars mast and you can buy them directly from Zspars or from the Hunter parts department. Actually Hunter sold them to me for less than what Zspars wanted. They take a "thin" nut so you will not be able to use standard nuts. If you know the model number Hunter can replace in kind or if you describe it to them on the phone they'll figure it out. I was stumped like you when I wanted to replace one until I called Hunter and they solved my problem. Hope this helps. Hunter parts (800)771-5556Zspars- www.ussparsinc.com