# Bent stainless shield on choker block **URL:** \ **Category:** Questions & Answers\ **Tags:** mast, rigging\ **Created:** [November 3, 2026, 6:47pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/bent-stainless-shield-on-choker-block/10637 "2026-11-03T18:47:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![John\_Howitt](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/nonsuch.discourse.group/john_howitt/32/7506_2.png) [@John\_Howitt](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/John_Howitt)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 6:47pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/bent-stainless-shield-on-choker-block/10637/1 "2026-11-03T18:47:32Z")
When taking the wishbone down for haul out, I noticed the stainless shield on the back of my choker block is bent backwards. Does any one have an idea of what may have caused this so that I can avoid repeating in the future? I’ve got some photos from September, running downwind in 18-20 knots with the wishbone all the way out to port and there is no contact between the topping lift/reefing block - so it isn’t that. Could the reefing line or topping lift have gotten hooked on the shield and I didn’t notice and bent the plate while putting in a reef or lifting the boom? Unfortunately, I own the issue, pictures show the shield was not bent when I took delivery, so it is definitely something I did… (Yes, I did fix the pin that appears to be coming out of the top of the block.) PS I am a new N30U owner as of August (Shé:kon, #354, formerly Heer’s Summer) and am already looking forward to Spring launch. I am very fortunate to have acquired a boat that was very well cared for and thank all previous owners for all their hard work making her as beautiful, sound and safe as she is! This is my first post (other than a reply to another thread). Thank you for any help! ![IMG_9991](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/n26_115_233/original/2X/2/2584920b6ae9e47aced2ac231d4879933f4522fa.jpeg) ![IMG_9989](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/n26_115_233/original/2X/b/b77da26434677bfff25f2b9126446678c96bb8de.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![briancayer](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/nonsuch.discourse.group/briancayer/32/46_2.png) [@briancayer](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/briancayer)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 7:15pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/bent-stainless-shield-on-choker-block/10637/2 "2026-11-03T19:15:44Z")
John My first thought is that the halyard got snagged behind the top of the plate and pulled it back when tightened. Brian ---
**Author:** ![NS233\_Bob\_Neches](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/nonsuch.discourse.group/ns233_bob_neches/32/120_2.png) [@NS233\_Bob\_Neches](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/NS233_Bob_Neches)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 7:44pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/bent-stainless-shield-on-choker-block/10637/3 "2026-11-03T19:44:55Z")
Could be a snagged and tightened line, as you and Brian are considering. I don’t see a line that could be the culprit, although it’d be interesting to see whether the halyard has any signs of chafing if Brian’s thought about the halyard is right. It seems like the halyard snagged on that piece would’ve given some resistance feedback to the winch, unless you’ve got a really strong electric one. It must’ve taken some force to bend it that much. If it was the halyard, it either would’ve created an observable delay in raising the sail. If it snagged and then freed, it also seems like it’d have made some noise when it came loose. Is there any chance that the starboard boom piece was bouncing against it while swinging or getting tightened against the mast? (If so, there might be some evidence on the rubber bumpers.) I haven’t had the same sort of swiveling block set-up on either of my boats. I don’t understand what the function of that bent plate plate in back is. It seems like the curved part would be the wrong direction to protect against chafing even if the block swiveled enough to direct the line toward it. The other plate underneath the block which has its curve bent in around the mast makes sense. But the one that bent seems oriented to get in the way rather than help (that, or I’m missing something). -- Bob ---
**Author:** ![briancayer](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/nonsuch.discourse.group/briancayer/32/46_2.png) [@briancayer](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/briancayer)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 8:56pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/bent-stainless-shield-on-choker-block/10637/4 "2026-11-03T20:56:17Z")
Yes all these things are possible but once you bang that plate back into shape you might want to go up on the ladder again and see what line can actually fit behind the top corner of that plate and dog ear that corner enough to prevent future snags. ---
**Author:** ![briancayer](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/nonsuch.discourse.group/briancayer/32/46_2.png) [@briancayer](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/briancayer)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 9:26pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/bent-stainless-shield-on-choker-block/10637/5 "2026-11-03T21:26:51Z")
Or perhaps that plate is on backwards and the bend should be facing to stern. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Howitt](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/nonsuch.discourse.group/john_howitt/32/7506_2.png) [@John\_Howitt](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/John_Howitt)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 9:28pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/bent-stainless-shield-on-choker-block/10637/6 "2026-11-03T21:28:25Z")
Good suggestion on bending the plate back and closing the possibility of a recurrence. Brian, I can’t believe I didn’t think of the halyard and your response triggered a memory - September 25th to be exact. It was almost certainly the main halyard - which has a strong power winch. I stopped the first time sailor joining us that evening from pushing the button because something didn’t sound right. I took the halyard off the winch as the line was way tighter than usual, went forward, couldn’t see an issue. Went back and hoisted the sail by hand and finished it off on the winch. Damage must have already been done. Reviewing photos confirms it was fine on the 23rd and not fine after the 25th. Thanks for the responses. I’ll know now to make sure there is no slack in the halyard when guests are getting “involved.” Bob, I don’t know the purpose of the shield either and will take a good look at whether it is even necessary when I prep the mast this Spring. ---
**Author:** ![Vela33](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/nonsuch.discourse.group/vela33/32/159_2.png) [@Vela33](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/Vela33)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 10:24pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/bent-stainless-shield-on-choker-block/10637/7 "2026-11-03T22:24:39Z")
I’d suspect the halyard, too. My halyard used to get caught on that choker turning block about once out of two or three lifts. Since I always get the sail ready at the dock, I started raising it a few feet until it’s just high enough that the halyard won’t blow over to the block. It probably does add a little windage (and I do blow around a bit when backing out of the slip), but it isn’t tight, so not much. I’ve never had a snag since I started doing that, even with a brisk breeze. I owe thanks to whoever suggested that. It was someone here, back when we were still in the Google Groups.