warn out blocks

[ken cloaninger]

my 1987 o'day has 6 or 7 single and double blocks attached at the base of the mast. these blocks are used on halyards, mainsheet, ect. the blocks are steel garhauers with plastic sheaves. after 15 years of use and sunlight the plastic sheaves are about gone. can these sheaves be replaced or the blocks be refurbished?thanks in advanceken

 

[Trevor - SailboatOwners.com]

Try Garhauer

Hi Ken -You may want to contact Garhauer Marine (link below). Give them a call and describe the blocks you are looking to service. Garhauer sent me replacement sheaves for my deck organizers and traveller blocks a few years ago, even though the traveller blocks were made by an Australian company (I think) called Fico. It might make more sense to replace the blocks rather than try rebuilding them, depending on the condition.Best of luck,Trevor

 

[Tom Ehmke]

I replaced mine a few years ago

The plastic sheaves were badly worn and the shoulders were broken. I took the old sheaves to a machinist who used them as patterns to turn new ones. Our first attempt was made of aluminum, but the squeaking of the sheave against the shaft drove me crazy. I told him about it, so he made me a second set from self-oiling bronze.The machinist is my stepson, so it was a freebee. I did the project over the winter, so I was able to remove the mastfoot and masthead for him to fit. Not sure what it would cost for OEM sheaves or where to get them. I tried my sailmaker first, but he was unable to find the exact size in his catalogs.Good luckTom