Ultimate Performance
Ball Bearing Orbit Blocks™ have been engineered to achieve the highest possible strength-to-weight ratio, using composite reinforced polymer materials and a Dyneema® link attachment instead of metal components.
The unique orbital version of our 2-stage ball bearing system maximises the available bearing surface and positions recirculating ball bearings exclusively within the loaded area of the sheave. A secondary full-contact bearing maintains low friction across the full working load range. The Dyneema® link, realised in high-grade SK75 fibre, is easily fitted and retained securely by a moulded retainer clip. The flexible link allows limited articulation in a 0° or 90° orientation, while swivel head models with stainless steel shackles provide full rotation and ultimate durability.
Orbit Blocks™ are fitted with our carbon-fibre reinforced C-Cleat™ for secure rope holding with low entry and exit efforts, and fairleads for fast action from any angle. Cleat arms have a wide range of adjustment and calibration marks for setting your preferred cleating angle.
The unique orbital version of our 2-stage ball bearing system maximises the available bearing surface and positions recirculating ball bearings exclusively within the loaded area of the sheave. A secondary full-contact bearing maintains low friction across the full working load range. The Dyneema® link, realised in high-grade SK75 fibre, is easily fitted and retained securely by a moulded retainer clip. The flexible link allows limited articulation in a 0° or 90° orientation, while swivel head models with stainless steel shackles provide full rotation and ultimate durability.
Orbit Blocks™ are fitted with our carbon-fibre reinforced C-Cleat™ for secure rope holding with low entry and exit efforts, and fairleads for fast action from any angle. Cleat arms have a wide range of adjustment and calibration marks for setting your preferred cleating angle.
Ball Bearing Orbit sheave
Dyneema® link or shackle head
Adjustable cleat arms
Ratchet block holding power
Ratchet block auto engagement
Ratchet block auto/manual models
Awesome Holding Power
Multiple gripping faces machined into our ratchet block sheaves work in conjunction with our unique cross-hole geometry, delivering up to 20:1 holding power to resist slipping of the loaded line while minimising rope wear. Ball bearings ensure minimum friction under load and a free running sheave when the ratchet is disengaged.
Control switches are located on both sides of the block to remain accessible wherever the block is fitted. In auto mode, the ratchet mechanism engages when load is applied but disengages when released to let the sheet run out freely – ideal for gybing asymmetric spinnakers. In manual mode, the switch is used to set up the block with ratchet either on or off as required.
Control switches are located on both sides of the block to remain accessible wherever the block is fitted. In auto mode, the ratchet mechanism engages when load is applied but disengages when released to let the sheet run out freely – ideal for gybing asymmetric spinnakers. In manual mode, the switch is used to set up the block with ratchet either on or off as required.
All-Around Solutions
Utility Blocks are an ideal match for the needs of everyday recreational sailing. They are designed for low-maintenance reliability and offer a choice of sheave/ bearing configurations depending on their intended use.
(All Purpose) versions are a great choice for durability and a long service life. They feature self-lubricating acetal polymer sheaves running on polished stainless steel races and perform equally well with dynamic loads and static loads.
(Ball Bearing) versions incorporate our 2-stage bearing system using ball bearings to minimise friction and a secondary full-contact bearing to maintain low friction across the full working load range.
(Special Purpose) versions are suitable for use with wire rope or where high static load capability is required.
Ball Bearing sheave
All Purpose & Special Purpose sheave
RopeGlide™ rings
RopeGlide™ fairleads
Ultimate Simplicity
For applications involving high static loads where only simple deflection and minor trim adjustment is required, our low friction RopeGlide™ rings and fairleads are a lightweight and robust alternative to blocks. For control line applications our Shocks™ offer high strength and versatility in a compact form.
Use Them Anywhere
A balanced design approach incorporating functionality, performance and style makes our Core Blocks™ the right choice for performance cruising or racing applications. A tuned 2-stage bearing system provides excellent performance across the full working load range with an integrated thrust bearing feature and the resilience to handle high dynamic or static loads. Acetal & aluminium sheave options, alloy cheeks and stainless fixings complete the durable package.
Dynamic and high static load performance
Core Blocks™ incorporate our proven 2-stage bearing system.
Stage 1 - Under moderate loads, acetal ball bearings ensure minimum friction.
Stage 2 - Under heavy loads, where deformation of ball bearings alone would result in increased friction, a sliding acetal bearing on a polished stainless steel race takes over, maintaining low friction performance. Additionally the ball bearings are configured to act as a thrust bearing between the sheave and cheeks, preventing the sheave from rubbing on the cheeks and causing friction when the line lead in and out of the block isn’t perfect; particularly important for foot blocks.
Core Blocks™ incorporate our proven 2-stage bearing system.
Stage 1 - Under moderate loads, acetal ball bearings ensure minimum friction.
Stage 2 - Under heavy loads, where deformation of ball bearings alone would result in increased friction, a sliding acetal bearing on a polished stainless steel race takes over, maintaining low friction performance. Additionally the ball bearings are configured to act as a thrust bearing between the sheave and cheeks, preventing the sheave from rubbing on the cheeks and causing friction when the line lead in and out of the block isn’t perfect; particularly important for foot blocks.
Fully articulated stand-up
Stand-up models have a low profile linkage that provides full rotation and articulation. A high strength precision cast padeye minimises the footprint and a dedicated rubber boot ensures the block is held upright when not loaded.
Stand-up models have a low profile linkage that provides full rotation and articulation. A high strength precision cast padeye minimises the footprint and a dedicated rubber boot ensures the block is held upright when not loaded.
Universal head
The head assembly incorporates a brass bearing washer to provide smooth 360° rotation of the post and shackle. A set screw arrangement allows the head to be locked at 0° or 90°. Shackles are high quality forged grade 316 stainless steel.
The head assembly incorporates a brass bearing washer to provide smooth 360° rotation of the post and shackle. A set screw arrangement allows the head to be locked at 0° or 90°. Shackles are high quality forged grade 316 stainless steel.
Aluminium alloy cheek plates
Block cheeks are manufactured from the highest quality aluminium alloy for maximum strength. Material optimisation and the cutaway design minimises weight and allows easy fresh water rinsing of salt and debris from the bearings. Cheek design has been further styled with flaring at the block throat and reduced gap between the cheek and sheave, minimising rope wear. The hollow hub can be used as a becket take-off or tie-up point.
Block cheeks are manufactured from the highest quality aluminium alloy for maximum strength. Material optimisation and the cutaway design minimises weight and allows easy fresh water rinsing of salt and debris from the bearings. Cheek design has been further styled with flaring at the block throat and reduced gap between the cheek and sheave, minimising rope wear. The hollow hub can be used as a becket take-off or tie-up point.
Aluminium sheave option
models feature an aluminium sheave which has a deep groove profile ideal for use with rope or wire.
Suit pre-spliced lines
Removable becket pins allow fitting of prespliced lines. The flush fit becket pin head is kind on deck surfaces and won’t snag lines.
models feature an aluminium sheave which has a deep groove profile ideal for use with rope or wire.
Suit pre-spliced lines
Removable becket pins allow fitting of prespliced lines. The flush fit becket pin head is kind on deck surfaces and won’t snag lines.
2-stage bearing system
Acetal rope sheave
Alloy rope/wire sheave
Aluminium alloy cheek plates
Universal head
Removable becket pins
Fully articulated stand-up
Specify The Best
Orbit Blocks™ are a no-compromise product range developed to meet the demands and expectations of the very dedicated and increasingly professional racing sailor, with characteristics including:
• Highest strength-to-weight ratio.
• Minimal friction loss, especially when working at high loads.
• Totally reliable and trouble free performance.
• Simplicity of design and construction to facilitate maintenance and servicing.
• Elegant, functional styling and finish.
• Highest strength-to-weight ratio.
• Minimal friction loss, especially when working at high loads.
• Totally reliable and trouble free performance.
• Simplicity of design and construction to facilitate maintenance and servicing.
• Elegant, functional styling and finish.
Bearing system
The Orbit sheave has captive acetal or Torlon® ball bearings for side thrust loads, eliminating the need for side retainer plates. This reduces weight and allows for a wider bearing surface that can accommodate longer Torlon® needles – achieving a substantially higher strength-to-weight ratio.
Strop and lashing blocks
These lightweight alternatives to traditional blocks are used where a rope lashing attachment is passed through the hub of the sheave to provide a failsafe feature. Lashing blocks have incredibly high breaking loads – up to 40,000kg. Their versatility makes them suitable for many applications, with four lashing guide holes to allow for multiple attachment options including single, parallel and split lashings.
The central hole can also be used for a becket in 3:1 purchase systems. Every detail has been carefully executed to achieve the best optimisation of performance, size, weight and ultimate strength available today.
The Orbit sheave has captive acetal or Torlon® ball bearings for side thrust loads, eliminating the need for side retainer plates. This reduces weight and allows for a wider bearing surface that can accommodate longer Torlon® needles – achieving a substantially higher strength-to-weight ratio.
Strop and lashing blocks
These lightweight alternatives to traditional blocks are used where a rope lashing attachment is passed through the hub of the sheave to provide a failsafe feature. Lashing blocks have incredibly high breaking loads – up to 40,000kg. Their versatility makes them suitable for many applications, with four lashing guide holes to allow for multiple attachment options including single, parallel and split lashings.
The central hole can also be used for a becket in 3:1 purchase systems. Every detail has been carefully executed to achieve the best optimisation of performance, size, weight and ultimate strength available today.
Design simplicity
There are only 3 primary components to the block: the twin side pieces, sculptured from solid high grade alloy, and the one-piece sheave with its captive ball bearings. The Orbit sheave has captive acetal or Torlon® ball bearings for side thrust loads, maximising the available bearing surface for its Torlon® needle rollers to achieve a high strength-toweight ratio.
There are only 3 primary components to the block: the twin side pieces, sculptured from solid high grade alloy, and the one-piece sheave with its captive ball bearings. The Orbit sheave has captive acetal or Torlon® ball bearings for side thrust loads, maximising the available bearing surface for its Torlon® needle rollers to achieve a high strength-toweight ratio.
Universal head
Head posts of swivel blocks can be locked at 0° or 90°. The high resistance shackles are forged in grade 17-4PH stainless steel.
Halyard blocks
These blocks have been designed primarily for attachment around the mast collar to lead halyards aft from the mast base to winches. The head of the block has a removable pin which enables easy attachment to the deck padeye or mast collar. This method of attachment provides a low lead aft to organisers or winches.
Head posts of swivel blocks can be locked at 0° or 90°. The high resistance shackles are forged in grade 17-4PH stainless steel.
Halyard blocks
These blocks have been designed primarily for attachment around the mast collar to lead halyards aft from the mast base to winches. The head of the block has a removable pin which enables easy attachment to the deck padeye or mast collar. This method of attachment provides a low lead aft to organisers or winches.
Foot blocks
The bottom plate incorporating the hub section is machined from solid alloy for maximum integrity of the load bearing structure. The top cover plate protects the sheave against impact, prevents dirt and grit from entering the hub area, and can be removed for service without removing the mounting bolts that secure the block through the base plate to the deck.
The bottom plate incorporating the hub section is machined from solid alloy for maximum integrity of the load bearing structure. The top cover plate protects the sheave against impact, prevents dirt and grit from entering the hub area, and can be removed for service without removing the mounting bolts that secure the block through the base plate to the deck.
Stand-up blocks
A number of stand-up solutions are available for Orbit Blocks™. These include assemblies incorporating padeye and rubber boot, stand-up spring kits and blocks with special swivel-eye to suit non-tumble padeyes.
A number of stand-up solutions are available for Orbit Blocks™. These include assemblies incorporating padeye and rubber boot, stand-up spring kits and blocks with special swivel-eye to suit non-tumble padeyes.
Bearing system
Lashing Orbit Block™
Alloy rope/wire sheave
Design simplicity
Universal head
Stand-up block