For some reason I like to lay my hands on boat equipment before buying it, and I also like to deal with people who know what they are talking about. Now I spotted a little (one-man?) rigger workshop in Stavanger which also sells deck hardware and blocks.  He has a nice range of both plain- and ball-bearing blocks from Selden, and he knows his stuff. Some of the blocks are heavy duty versions with ss. steel balls. They look good. For some reason I thrust the Swedes when it comes to mechanics, and in particular their ball bearings.

No need to cross the river to fetch water, then...

Arne 

It's the price we pay for being in Godzone at the other end of the world.  Oz and NZ together have fewer people than places like Nepal or Uzbekistan, so you can understand why economies of scale don't work so well down here! 

Following David's advice, I've ordered Garhauer ball bearing blocks for my main halyard. Even taking transAtlantic freight charges and UK value reducing tax into account, ordering direct from California has saved about 15% on the price offered by their Scandinavian distributor.

Asmat Downey wrote:

Annie Hill wrote:Remind me of the size of your mainsail, Asmat.  I, as you may recall, am a 55kg weakling,....

Annie, at 95kg, I can just about haul my 460 sq ft mains'l up without using the winch, but it takes me a while to regain the power of speech afterwards. My 55kg wife Trisha needs the winch at all times. It's interesting to know b.b.blocks can make such a difference, so I will probably look at some Garhauers.

Those reading this in Europe may be interested to know that in America the series 40 single block with becket costs $US 55.00, (£38.88); through the French distributor, Croix du Sud Marine, E101.10, (£78.49); in Denmark from Denrex, DKK 657.00, (£65.70).  For some reason, Garhauer does not have a UK distributor.

For some reason they only do the high load with a becket here.  The standard series 40 single block is NZ$185.58 £88.90!  Stuff is expensive here, at the bottom of the world.  I think I used 25s for Fantail, but would have to check.  The last two I bought were $105 for both, now they are $88.50 each.  If I'd realised they'd gone up so much, I might have just swopped them for something cheaper (your good luck, Bryan!).  The business has a new dealer.  He complains that people go directly to USA.  At that price, you can see why.

Remind me of the size of your mainsail, Asmat.  I, as you may recall, am a 55kg weakling, but I can haul my 30 sq m sail from the cockpit without using the winch.  This was hard work and involved much overhauling of sheets before I changed to the Garhauer blocks.  In fact, I usually gave up for the final panel or two and resorted to the winch.

(I should say could haul my sail up.  Fantail doesn't belong to me any more!)