I replaced the very worn Garhauer cheek block on the mast for the choker prior to the start of this season with a seemingly no-name cheek block that came from the previous owner’s store of spares. This Thursday, while out in a pretty good breeze, there was an impressive bang and the rig shuddered. The new cheek block had violently self-disassembled. I have another spare cheek block identical to the one that exploded, but I’m somewhat reluctant to install it.
Does anyone know where one can source a fit for purpose reputable brand cheek block for an NS30? I’ve attached pics of the Garhauer (glad I held on to it), which is no longer listed on their website (they have one that’s similar but for max. 3/8" vs. 7/16" line), as well as the dubious no-name spare and the 1/2 that remains on my mast.
Schaefer makes one that is almost but not quite a match to the Garhauer - the bolt holes are not spaced the same (the spacing on the Garhauer is closer on one end than the other). Mike Quill has NS30 cheek blocks on his site, but with no information provided (I will email him for details).
I’ve worked with Garhauer to get their recommendations for Nonsuch 26 and 30 replacement blocks up on the INA web site (log on, click on Stores and go to “Replacement Blocks”).
They recommend their 40-21 SB stainless cheek block. Mike Quill’s is superior because I believe that his is custom designed to minimize chafe on the line. For those who can afford it, he’s always a good bet.
I don’t know how Garhauer’s $50 USD price adds up after you convert currencies and pay shipping, taxes, and fees to get it to Canada. However, it may still be the less expensive alternative if price is an issue.
Thanks for pointing me to the very handy table and for having set that up for everyone’s benefit. The 40-21 SB is both longer and wider than the block installed on my boat (and the contoured mounting plate for the curve of the mast). I will get the dimensions of Mike Quill’s version and take it from there. I’m hoping I won’t have to drill new holes and get a new mounting plate fabricated). I have other blocks to replace, so this is table will be very useful regardless. Next time, I’ll be sure to check the INA site before posting questions for which the answers are already readily available.
I too needed to replace my choker cheek block this year and the Garhauer replacement table called for a 30-21SB so that’s what I ordered from Garhauer. When it arrived it looked a lot like the block with no name in the picture Chirs posted above. The holes didn’t quite line up either - the top ones were close but the bottom ones had to be re-drilled which I made a mess of. I wasn’t at all happy with the job I did and now I’m worried the thing will come apart.
Ken Julian
“Idyll Hours” 1981 NS 26C #9
Saint John, NB, Canada
Please join at the rear of the VERY long line of all of us who have asked 64,000 questions before we exhaustively searched through this message board i.e. welcome to the club. Don’t feel “foolish”.
Regarding essential blocks, etc. and other small items that are mighty difficult to access/repair/replace … if you can afford the boat and the mooring, you can find the scratch to pay for the “small item”.
Garhauer makes terrific stuff, provides an excellent service and it’s good value but …
Mike Quill will, sadly, be shutting his doors soon. His replacement parts (priced in crappy CAD $$$) work, last and fit, flawlessly. Take advantage of this resource while it is still around, gang.
Ernie A. in Toronto (where it’s very warm and windy)
I certainly concur with all that Garhauer is an imperfect solution for the cheek block, and that Mike Quill is a great resource while we still have him.
Mike’s looking for a replacement to take over the services he provides, and the INA is actively trying to help. Unfortunately, it’s way too early in that process to offer any predictions about how that’ll play out.
As co-Presidents, Phil LeVine and I both feel very strongly that the ability to help members find parts that work for their boats will be of more and more importance in helping keep the value of our boats high as we go into the future. As another saying goes, the boats aren’t getting any younger. Neither are the original go-to sources.
We thus have a big concern about maintaining what in a previous life I was used to calling, “continuity and breadth of sources of supply.” There’re no silver bullets, as the limitations on using Garhauer as a drop-in replacement in a few cases illustrate. Our approach is develop as many alternatives as we can for members, so there are at least choices. We’d really appreciate the help of anyone reading this who’d like to get involved. Please contact me at INA@Nonsuch.org if interested in helping.
On a personal note, as the result of having been cursed with “an interesting life,” I’m aware that not all Nonsuch owners are loaded. Some “can” spend whatever amount of time or money some other member believes is appropriate. Some can’t. In addition, as with older cars, while some owners want their boat “just right”, some others are just interested in using them. Furthermore, for yet others, one of the fun parts of messing around in boats is kicking around alternatives for their potential to be cheaper or smarter (or, ideally, both). I believe the INA should be there for all its members.
I hope the Discussion Group will stay welcoming to all members – rich or poor, restoration-minded or functionalist, buy-a-solution oriented or let’s-tinker types.
I second Brian’s “Hear Hear”. I’m very much in the functionalist camp. Having said that, given the lack of readily available alternatives, I’m going with Mike Quill for the new cheek block. Had a good call with him and he provided me with some very useful comments and suggestions regarding various elements of my rigging based on photos I sent him (BTW, he did not try to sell me any solutions to any of these).
It turns out that the nondescript cheek block that failed is (probably) actually a legit fitting, but for the aft reefs on the boom, not for the choker.
