Choosing the correct piece of hardware when making a system upgrade or replacing a broken piece of kit can sometimes be more difficult than first thought. So, we have put together this article to try and help you make an informed decision on which block to choose.
The most common reason for an aftermarket block replacement is usually down to breakages and, in most cases, sailors tend to stick to what they know and simply replace a broken piece of kit with a like for like swap. This method is usually the easiest option but, in most cases, isn’t the correct one.
Choosing a like for like replacement when the existing piece of hardware has already broken will usually lead to another major failure, in the same way, this means the piece of equipment your choosing isn’t designed for the job it performs. So, what factors should you consider when choosing a new replacement?
The range of High Load Blocks from Allen is expanding with additions such as doubles, triples and Tii-On’s now available.
As technology and design have evolved over the past few years it has led to the loads on sailboats increasing and rope diameters decreasing. These changes denote smaller but stronger blocks are required. To meet the needs of our ever-evolving sport Allen has broadened its range of High Load Blocks to facilitate these changes.
Allen High Load Blocks fit between the standard dynamic range and the XHL range. The blocks feature a stainless-steel sheave which runs on a double race of stainless-steel ball bearings. By utilising a stainless-steel sheave with a slight V shape profile, the Allen High Load range offers the ability to be paired with both wire and Dyneema®. This design also reduces deformation of the sheave under high static loads. These combinations result in less friction, higher working loads, better performance and durability over the acetal sheave Dynamic Block range.
Tii blocks are designed for soft attachment applications. Perfect for use in systems where weight saving is a necessity or there is no requirement for a metal shackle. More info about the Tii-On Range.
For reducing friction in any system or using in a highly static loaded application which still needs to be dynamic, such as a rig tension system.
Working Load – 400Kg / 650Kg
Breaking Load – 650Kg / 1750Kg
A2020HL-4036 – 20mm High Load Single with Offset Lacing Eye.
Can be used to attach an A2020HL directly to surface whilst eliminating the need for a shackle.
Working Load – 250Kg
Breaking Load – 540Kg
Working Load – The load at which a component part may fail and cause a reduction in performance.
Breaking Load – The load point at which a major failure is likely to occur.
For further information about the range please get in touch with the Allen sales team.
Allen Endurance Series 2020 launched at the RYA Dinghy Show 2020
Announced at the RYA Dinghy Show were the dates for the third season of the Allen Endurance Series, which now includes an additional event and prize fund for 2020.
Over £1000 worth of vouchers and other merch will be available throughout the 5 events, as well as, the overall series prizes of £500, £250 & £100 vouchers for 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively. Competitors will also be in with the chance of winning a complete Catamaran mainsheet system worth £600, drawn at random, just by entering an AES Event. For each entry into an AES race, the competitor will receive an entry to the random draw.
After the launch, there was also a brief prize-giving for the 2019 overall winners, of which Simon Northrop and Caleb Cooper took first place and the £500 voucher. Simon commented “I would just like to thank Allen as the title sponsor of the Endurance Series. As Catamaran sailors this is the support we need and it’s very much appreciated. So, thanks to Allen and may 2020 be as good as 2019.”
A long-distance race which has evolved over its 24-year history into a well-balanced test of sailing and racing skills, attracting top national helms as well as experienced club racers and international entries. For 2020 the Saturday afternoon will feature a shake down race to the Forts and back – a single leg for boats with 1000 PY and below. For those boats of 1000+, there’ll be an inshore race. On the Sunday, laid out in hub and spoke format with each leg returning through a gate near the club, will be the Endurance Race. The full course covers 85 kilometers in estuary, coastal and open sea conditions, and provides racing at all points of sailing. The flexibility of this format differentiates the Forts Race from other marathon events.
The Solent Forts Race is a long-distance event for sports Catamarans and is set in the Eastern Solent, with Hayling Island and Portsmouth to the north and the Isle of Wight to the west. The race comprises several legs radiating out from a gate (like a star), allowing the course configuration and length to be adjusted according to the conditions prevailing on the day. The race gets its name from the Napoleonic Channel Forts that comprise two of the marks of the course. The race has a unique ‘time out’ feature that allows boats to take an optional 30-minute break during the race. This time may be used for a comfort break or for tactical purposes. Saturday also features a shake down race.
Open to fast dinghies and Catamarans, the East Coast Piers Race is a major charity event raising funds to support “The Cirdan Trust” to further support their important work with socially or physically disadvantaged children. The race is based at Marconi Sailing Club on the River Blackwater in Essex and goes all the way up the East Coast to Walton and back again. There are three course options available, the Bradwell Race – 13 miles long open to fast dinghies. The Colne Point Race – 27 miles long open to fast dinghies and Catamarans. And the Endurance Race, the full ECPR which is 48 miles long open to Catamarans only. Saturday Features a round the cans shake down race with an excellent party in the evening.
The Anglesey Offshore Dinghy & Catamaran Race is The North West’s premier offshore dinghy race, covering over 15 nautical miles around the South East coast of Anglesey. Frequent visitors include Olympic sailors, and past and present National Champions. The race starts on the Royal Anglesey start line at Beaumaris in the picturesque Menai Straits. Then through Puffin Sound and passing the rugged cliffs of Anglesey. After crossing the glorious sandy beaches of Red Wharf Bay, the fleet head for the famous Lifeboat station at Moelfre. The finish is at Red Wharf Bay Sailing Club at Traeth Bychan. Rated by Yachts and Yachting as one of the top events to compete in. For 2020 the event will also include a shake down race from the Royal Anglesey Yacht Club on the Saturday night followed by a social evening before the Endurance Race on Sunday.
IOS Round the Island Race is a long established, long distance event designed to test sailing skills and endurance over a 40-mile course. Sailed clockwise around the island of Sheppey, starting and finishing at IOS Sailing Club. The race includes tidal sea, river & estuary sailing. The event is the longest dinghy and board race in Europe —The race is open to all classes of dinghy, catamaran and sailboard and there is a shake down race on the Saturday.
Allen named as official hardware supplier to the Swedish Sailing Team
UK manufacturer of performance sailing hardware, Allen, has been chosen as the official hardware supplier to the SWE Sailing Team, the team incorporates the best talent in Sweden for both Olympic and youth classes.
The Swedish sailing team boasts an impressive 35 Olympic sailing medals and for Tokyo 2020 the targets for the sailors are set higher than ever. With four teams selected to represent the Swedish Sailing Team in the Finn Dinghy, 470 men, ILCA Standard and ILCA Radial classes in Tokyo it comes as no surprise that the team opted to choose Allen as its hardware of choice before the games.
Thomas Hansson-Mild of the Swedish Sailing Team, stated, “We will benefit a lot from this collaboration. Allen have a 60 year heritage of making good products. With your knowledge and your technical experience, and the quality of the products… well, we are super happy!”
Managing Director of Allen, Liz Adams, commented proudly, “It’s very important for Allen, as a UK manufacturer, to build strong bonds with sailors around the world. It will help in our R&D programme. The Swedish Sailing Team will contribute to our product development, which will be a fantastic opportunity for all of us. We wish you every success and hope we have many happy years working together.”
Allen is based in Essex, UK and the team of highly skilled engineers and designers work closely with some of the World’s elite sailors to ensure the sailboat hardware they manufacture performs to the highest level. Allen can rapidly prototype products and produce custom parts for elite sailors with its impressive range of in-house resources including toolmaking, CNC machining, Injection moulding and assembly to name just a few.
Take a closer look at the Rockatross in this walk-around video with Team Allen sailor Stuart Bithell, boat owner Charlotte Fildes and SailJuice‘s Andy Rice.
We are also pleased to announce the winner of our “Guess the number of fittings” competition we ran over the weekend of the RYA Dinghy Show in which you could win £300 worth of hardware just by guessing the number of fittings on the Rockatross Merlin Rocket we had on display.
The winner is Jude Perrot, with the closest guess of 411 Allen fittings.
The correct number was in fact 420!
Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to Jude, who will now be able to pimp her Byte or Wayfarer with plenty of Allen kit!
