My shackle failed for my topping lift, so I ordered Garhauer replacement:
Fiddle Block with Becket and Shackle 40-02 US
Fiddle Block 40-01 US
The previous owner had the becket assembly on top but I’ve noticed in reading about other setups it appears most put the becket assembly on the bottom closer to the boom.
It would seem to me the physics are pretty much the same, but, before I install the new rigging, should I consider putting the block with becket on the bottom?
I think it depends on how you want your topping lift line to run from that pair of blocks down along the boom and forward from there. The line will always exit the pair of fiddle blocks from the one with the becket, whichever way you place the pair.
If the becket’s on top, the line will come off the upper fiddle block and run from there to whatever your set-up does to route the line forward along the boom.
This picture from an early set-up at one point in my boat’s history illustrates it coming off the top.
If you put the fiddle block with the becket on the bottom, the line will come off the bottom block. Here’s a fuzzy picture of my more recent set-up with the becket now at the bottom and the turning block replaced with an additional lashed-on low-friction ring.
Which way is best for you will likely depend on what gives the most fair lead to whatever arrangement you have for leading the line forward. Note the much fairer lead on the topping lift line (blue in this picture, black with white flecks in the previous).
Brilliant. Got it, Bob. Makes complete sense now. Since I’m not changing the how I lead the line forward I will stick with the original set up. Thanks for the detailed explanation and pics.
Oh, and some advice to others. I took pictures of the these units and raised print said the warranty was until 2009. So don’t go too far past your warranty. I was going to replace all my blocks in the off season.
And check your safety cable (line). They can corrode or otherwise erode over time. Glad mine worked!
