My spinnaker rig has this type of block attached to the mast with a strap eye:
To avoid chafe, I've determined that the best way to "store" the block is to run a messenger line in place of the topping lift to avoid UV damage and prevent the block from banging around up there. Is this the "best" way to secure this block? The strap eye and block swivel all have quite a bit of area for the halyards to chafe. I use bungee cords to secure the halyards at the dock, which eliminates most of the chafe. But it still bugs me.
I've considered attaching a snap hook and climbing halfway up the mast to attach it whenever I want to use my spinnaker. That seems like more work than it should be, so I've also considered other block options.
There is a really slick hinged block that is built for halyard use, but it is MSRP at $300. The benefits is that this hinged block has less area to chafe, since only the smooth outer rim of the block will be exposed to the halyards.
SO... opinion time! Go with the messenger line? Attach a snap hook to the block? What's behind curtain number 3?
To avoid chafe, I've determined that the best way to "store" the block is to run a messenger line in place of the topping lift to avoid UV damage and prevent the block from banging around up there. Is this the "best" way to secure this block? The strap eye and block swivel all have quite a bit of area for the halyards to chafe. I use bungee cords to secure the halyards at the dock, which eliminates most of the chafe. But it still bugs me.
I've considered attaching a snap hook and climbing halfway up the mast to attach it whenever I want to use my spinnaker. That seems like more work than it should be, so I've also considered other block options.
There is a really slick hinged block that is built for halyard use, but it is MSRP at $300. The benefits is that this hinged block has less area to chafe, since only the smooth outer rim of the block will be exposed to the halyards.
SO... opinion time! Go with the messenger line? Attach a snap hook to the block? What's behind curtain number 3?