Soave has some old Garhauer blocks that I doubt are original. I’ve been replacing them with new Garhauer blocks.
I’m not disappointed with the performance of the old blocks my guess is that they lasted longer than the 10 year guarantee.
I’m curious about how they are constructed and how to keep them functional as long as possible. So I opened up a failed block to examine it from the inside. Thought it might be interesting to others that have the same blocks.
The central axel is hydraulic-pressed (swaged) directly against the outer stainless steel cheek plates. I drilled out the pressed side to begin the disassembly.
I’d say the best way to extend their life would have been removal during the winter and cleaning them annually. The new replacement blocks are a totally different design that used ball bearings ( Here is a link ), so fused bushing won’t happen. I think an annual cleaning and lubrication will be a good idea for both the new nd old blocks.
I have a box of worn and broken parts from Soave… they each tell a story. I’ll bing my junk box to the Rendezvous happy to share what I’ve learned.
I’ve fixed blocks like this by finding a replacement sheave, and a bolt with lock nut. If you can find a metal sheave, then even better than original, will outlast the boat.
Hi Don,
My original thought also, but I discovered the seized block in the spring and ordering the replacement was more expedient. Spring schedule is tight. This year the weather set me back a couple weeks. I’m just now getting to circle back to replenish consumables and evaluate stuff like this block. The bushing is pitted enough to be a candidate for replacement. The cost of the materials I guessed would run $30-35 and the new was $60, so it was a close call that depends on the value of my time.
My junk box has has lots of items that could be revived with a little TLC, sometimes I find new parts to be inferior to the old ones and refurbishing makes sense.
The new block looks very nice but I worry about the ball bearings. Seems like they have more places for grime to accumulate. I’ve been on plenty of boats where one moment everything is fine and the next there are ball bearings rolling across the deck. Failures are sudden and more dramatic than bushings.
I’ll try and report back in 5 years or so on the performance of the new block.
I decided to look at the costs to refurbish the block pictured above.
The closest match I could find was on Sailrite.com …
2 5/16" Delrin Sheave - 13/16" wide, 1/2" ID: Mer S9.1D13-8: Molded Delrin Sheave is 2 5/16" OD x 13/16" (.790") wide x 1/2" ID. As used on Merriman Cheekblocks, Deck Organizer Blocks, and in other applications. Black Molded Sheave is more ultraviolet resistant than earlier white versions. With Rope Groove for maximum 5/8" (16mm) line.
It sells for $50.
The one I’d be looking for is 2 1/8" Delrin Sheave - 11/16" wide, 1/2" ID. with rope grove.
Seems like if I could find a $20 replacement sheave it’s be worth the effort to refurbish and keep as a spare.
Anyone know of other sources for replacement sheaves ?
Hi James,
The INA website (in the store section) has a list of Garhauer blocks that could be used as replacements for original. The list made shopping easier.
Prices are reasonable and quality in my experience is respectable.
I extrapolated from the blocks specified for the NS30. Soave is a NS33. Yes I trust the recommendations.
I’ve started thinking about the Halyard Sheaves in the masthead. It would be nice to have a good source for replacement sheaves. Even nicer if there was a suggestion for replacing the entire sheave box.
The INA tried to contact several manufacturers. Garhauer had two virtues: (1) they have a proven reputation for value, having been used in later Nonsuches and being an OEM for Catalina; (2) they were the only manufacturer that responded to our inquiries.
We sent them the original manuals’ block specifications for the N26s, N30s, and N36s (at the time, those were the only manuals available with block lists). They gave us their closest equivalent block part numbers. When they didn’t have a block with the minimum working load specified, they gave us the part number for the nearest one that exceeded it.
We posted requests on the discussion board for owners to review the Garhauer lists to make sure they were comfortable with the recommendations. We got responses from N26 and N30 owners but not N36s, so we never got around to posting the N36 list. (Given 80-something N36 owners vs. 500+ N30 owners and 350+ N26 owners, not surprising.)
If there’s an N36 owner who sees this and is willing to volunteer to review the N36 list, contact me and we can work on it as soon as the two volunteers who just stepped up to help with webmastering feel ready.
In “an abundance of caution”, as they say these days, the INA recommendation in the New Nonsuch Owners Quick Guide is for boats larger than 30 is to go one size up from the N30 recommendations.
