Ronstan Hardware
Ball bearing blocks...where the rubber meets the road. Shown are the oversized blocks used in our I-20 mainsheet (vang) and spinnaker trimming systems, 55mm sheave diameter. Larger sheaves translate into less effort to produce the same work product, i.e., trim the sail. The larger sheaves also run out with less friction, reducing the need for skipper and crew to monitor the sail during an ease. Shown are, in descending order, the single vangsheet block, spinnaker deck ratchet, double vangsheet block, single ratchet vangsheet block.
The single trim point for the self-tacking jibsheet is this hybrid hardware. Note that the cam cleat size is medium, as are all of the others on the boat.
Various color-coded cam cleats shown, above. When the line must be captive, a color coded 'saddle' is used on top of the cleat. The saddle has a stainless liner to inhibit wear.
The lowly 'horn cleat' still has a place on a modern vessel. A pair of these are used on the backside of the board raising system, giving adjustability to the extent of board drop, which should be almost 90 degrees to the hull in very light air, and less drop in heavier air to compensate for weather helm inherent in the I-20/M-20 design.
These ball ends were so pretty, we had to use some of them. They are on the end of the board lines, backstay, and cunningham controls.
Steering made easy: the tapered carbon fiber hiking stick, and the rubber 'u-joint' which makes it all work.
The Mother of all outhaul sheaves, used in tandem with the main outhaul slug, below.
The slug that runs in the sail track on the main outhaul.
The high load sheave used on the jib halyard, the forestay deck intersect, backstay, and the turning points for control lines exiting the keelson.
The Mother of all wire rope sheaves. This carries 100% of the forestay load, and has a working load limit of about 3 times the weight of a 20 foot scow.
The Ronstan adjustable, calibrated, lockable turnbuckle (the Austruckinfalians, Kiwis, and P.O.M.E.s call them 'bottlescrews'). No more turnbuckle parts strewn Hansel-and-Gretel style on the turnpike behind the trailer during the trip to the regatta.
The cunningham hook. No more tying wee bits of Dyneema cord at the gooseneck every time that you raise your mainsail.
Stainless steel lined fairleads, to lead the cunningham and three halyards, spinnaker, main, and jib, below deck.
Detail showing foil rudder, stand-up bushings used on 55mm spinnaker blocks, backstay and rudderhead.
