New block fixing at mast base
Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 320
Forum Description: 320 Hints and Tips
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6334
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 01:23
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Topic: New block fixing at mast base
Posted By: JohnA
Subject: New block fixing at mast base
Date Posted: 02 March 2012 at 12:03
I am attaching a photo of the base of my mast and I want to attach a new block next to the existing blocks. There is a fixing which needs to go inside the hole on the right, to which the block is attached. You can see a similar fixing attached to the existing right hand block. Can anybody please advise me as to what this fixing is called, where I can get one and can it be fitted in the hole without stepping the mast? Thanks. ------------- Hanse 320 #464 'Discovery' |
Replies:
Posted By: Peter-Blake
Date Posted: 02 March 2012 at 12:09
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I remember these are called Clevis pins (Browse this forum for them) for adding a clevis pin you have to step of the mast and you have to dismount the mastbase. these pins where mounted before the mastbase came in place. (I am talking about a spacraft mastbase) You will find the pins here if you have a sparcraft mast: http://www.sparcraft.com/uk/products/hardware/fichiers/maststepblocks.pdf" rel="nofollow - http://www.sparcraft.com/uk/products/hardware/fichiers/maststepblocks.pdf This is how my Mastbase looks like:  ------------- Blake 370 
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Posted By: JohnA
Date Posted: 02 March 2012 at 12:49
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Thanks very much for your speedy reply, Peter. You would have thought that Hanse would have filled all the holes with clevis pins prior to or during commissioning wouldn't you? I'm certainly not prepared to step the mast for this small item and will have to find another way of fitting a block, maybe by using a small shackle which may slide in the slot at the bottom of the mast. Unless you clever guys out there can suggest another way? Thanks again, Peter. Regards, John ------------- Hanse 320 #464 'Discovery' |
Posted By: Peter-Blake
Date Posted: 02 March 2012 at 13:28
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If the new blocks does not get hogh loads you may check if you can fix it to the existing hole with a small rope. What is the block to be used for?
------------- Blake 370
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Posted By: JohnA
Date Posted: 02 March 2012 at 14:11
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To be honest Peter, I have currently fitted a small block in that position using four small nylon cable ties, as a temporary solution. However this is not an elegant solution and I need to improve on it. The block will be taking light loads only from a sail stacking system which, during the winter period, I have had fitted to my main sail by a sail maker. The objective is for the main sail to be completely dropped and secured at the end of a sail, without the necessity for a crew mwmber to go on deck to pull down the last part of the main sail which tends to stay up the mast. We sail short handed most of the time and I don't like crew members having to step up to the mast to stack the main sail, especially if the sea state is not good. As the main sail has just been re-fitted and 'Discovery' is still on the hard, I have not had an oportuinity to test the device out yet. However I intend to report on it on the forum once we have chance to see how well (or otherwise) it works. Hopefully it will be a good safety device. Regards, John ------------- Hanse 320 #464 'Discovery' |
Posted By: samuel
Date Posted: 02 March 2012 at 14:28
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You could fit a twin sheathed block to one of the pins
I have added blocks for cunningham etc & these come off the kicker loop
I have considered the idea of a line to pull the sail down, but if the main came down & someone did not tighten the "downhaul" quick enough there would be a loop of line flapping around looking for something to hook onto. I considered running it through loops at each sail slide to retain it more but the resulting loops would be harder to " unloop" if they did get stuck. Obvious choices would be the deckspreader light or the bolts on the spreaders, or the small gaps between spreader root & mast. I am sure a thin line would find something to hook onto ------------- Daydream Believer- Hanse 311- No GBR9917T- Bradwell Essex |
Posted By: JohnA
Date Posted: 02 March 2012 at 14:45
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Samuel, The system I have recently had fitted is shown on page 26 of the Crusader Sails brochure which can be found at: http://www.crusadersails.com/brochure.htm" rel="nofollow - http://www.crusadersails.com/brochure.htm The line fits on the luff and leech of the sail in order to lower it in a more controlled manner (I hope). I'm not sure how we will deal with the refing lines as the sail is dropped, hopefully we will be able to haul them in from the cockpit clutches as the sail is dropped. Experience will, no doubt prevail. If the system works well, I will video the procedure and publish the link on MyHanse. Thanks for your advice, though. Regards, John ------------- Hanse 320 #464 'Discovery' |
Posted By: 341 Agathe
Date Posted: 03 March 2012 at 11:04
There is room for 3 blocks at the mast foot closest to the cockpit, see photo. ------------- Agathe 341 2003, white hull, tiller steering, deep draft keel, long rudder |
Posted By: skipper
Date Posted: 04 March 2012 at 12:29
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Have you had time to search on Myhanse, mast base blocks has been discussed a lot over the years? Could this thread be a help? http://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5237&title=mast-base-blocks-swl-850-kg-and-6-mm-clevis-pin" rel="nofollow - http://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5237&title=mast-base-blocks-swl-850-kg-and-6-mm-clevis-pin ------------- Cheers, Skipper Former owner of Hanse 342 2005 (Sparcraft mast, white hull, wheel steering, deep draft keel, short rudder) |
Posted By: JohnA
Date Posted: 04 March 2012 at 13:24
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Thanks Skipper, I had not seen this post before and found it very useful. It never ceases to surprise me as to the detail that forum members are prepared to go in order to help other members with views, technical detail and knowledge. The forum is a great family and must be the best of it's kind. Long may it continue! Regards, John ------------- Hanse 320 #464 'Discovery' |
Posted By: anti
Date Posted: 04 March 2012 at 14:59
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JohnA, since your rig seems to be Z-spar you can get the original blocks from http://www.zsparsuk.com" rel="nofollow - http://www.zsparsuk.com . I had no problems getting them to ship me some extra to Sweden.
Mast Base Turning Block w/ 45mm Sheave - 8mm Stud: Z-261: ------------- s/y Maike Hanse 315 #455 tiller, Z-spar rig, Yanmar 3YM20 http://maike.orpi.se/" rel="nofollow - http://maike.orpi.se/ |
Posted By: CharlesP
Date Posted: 07 March 2012 at 12:00
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Maike - as the stud has a nut, can you fit the block with the mast still in place? Charles ------------- 'MERIDIAN LADY' 320 Nr 536 2010 Medway |
Posted By: samuel
Date Posted: 07 March 2012 at 13:52
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Risky if the nut came off whilst under load!!
Plus the grouve in my base is not deep enough to allow one to slip a nut into place so one would have to check first ------------- Daydream Believer- Hanse 311- No GBR9917T- Bradwell Essex |
Posted By: anti
Date Posted: 07 March 2012 at 14:26
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@Charles P Yes, you can, if you've got the Z-spar rig and mast foot that is the standard turning block and according to the picture in the original post that is what JohnA has got. The only problem when pushing the nut into position through the slot is that there might be some sikaflex overflow that has to be removed. @samuel I can't see how the nut could come off under load, the block cannot turn under load.
------------- s/y Maike Hanse 315 #455 tiller, Z-spar rig, Yanmar 3YM20 http://maike.orpi.se/" rel="nofollow - http://maike.orpi.se/ |
Posted By: CharlesP
Date Posted: 07 March 2012 at 14:41
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Thanks for the info. Yes, my rig is Z-Spars, but I do not know which section is used because the label on the mast just has reference numbers from the French manufacturer which are not in the Z-Spars catalogue. I also had some concern about the nut coming undone. Vibration, for example, might cause this. I would therefore use 'Loktite' or similar on the thread. Charles ------------- 'MERIDIAN LADY' 320 Nr 536 2010 Medway |
Posted By: anti
Date Posted: 07 March 2012 at 15:32
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@CharlesP The nut cannot turn once it's slided into the the slot, the only way it can come undone is if the block isn't used, held upright and turned to undo the nut. If you have the Z-spar rig this is the way your existing blocks are mounted. Give Z-spar UK a call, I found them very customer orientated..
------------- s/y Maike Hanse 315 #455 tiller, Z-spar rig, Yanmar 3YM20 http://maike.orpi.se/" rel="nofollow - http://maike.orpi.se/ |
Posted By: CharlesP
Date Posted: 07 March 2012 at 15:49
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Thank you very much Maike. I spoke to Z-Spars at Southampton Boat Show regarding mast and boom sections and showed them a photo of the references, but they could not identify the sections. I expect that back at their office they would be able to contact the French manufacturer and get an explanation of the references. I will email the French manufacturer. Charles ------------- 'MERIDIAN LADY' 320 Nr 536 2010 Medway |
Posted By: JohnA
Date Posted: 07 March 2012 at 17:36
Many thanks for this Anti. It's just what I'm looking for and I will be getting in touch with Zspar to see if they can ship one to me. Regards, John ------------- Hanse 320 #464 'Discovery' |
anti wrote:Posted By: franko
Date Posted: 25 June 2012 at 09:57
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Just saw this thread as I am about to change some of my mast base blocks. However, as a temporary measure, until you next unstep the mast, have you considered a spectra/dyneema loop? F. |
Posted By: JohnA
Date Posted: 25 June 2012 at 12:02
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I am currently using a simple loop made of standard nylon line to which I have attached a small block. Very low tech I'm afraid, however the load is very low and the fix is holding up well for the time being. Thanks for your advice. Regards, John ------------- Hanse 320 #464 'Discovery' |