2025 Ronstan Marine Catalogue - Catalog - Page 53
FEATURES & INFORMATION
Keelboat Blocks
51
Bearing system
Lashing Orbit Block™
Universal head
Stand-up block
ORBIT BLOCKS
™
SPECIFY THE BEST
Halyard blocks
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:
• High 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 昀椀nish.
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 post.
This method of attachment provides a low lead aft to organisers or winches.
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.
Design simplicity
There are only 3 primary components to the block: the twin cheeks, 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-to-weight 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.
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.
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.
Stand-up blocks
A number of stand-up solutions are available for Orbit Blocks™. These include assemblies
incorporating padeye and rubber boot and stand-up spring kits.
