Through deck bushes, also known as fairleads, have been created to protect surfaces from a rubbing rope or wire. Aluminium versions also allow you to also add a touch of personalisation to your boat, with a choice of six colours.
It’s fairly common on modern boats to see rope passing through a surface. Such as the deck, thwart or any other part of the hull. This rigging style ensures the rope takes the shortest path, meaning fewer turning points, less friction and less weight.
However, just drilling a hole through a fibreglass or carbon surface and running rope through it isn’t ideal. Over time the rope will slowly cut its way through the surface – weakening the rope and making a mess of your boat.
So, fitting a through deck bush into the hole will help guide the rope through the surface whilst offering protection to the material the rope or wire is passing through.
Central mainsheet jammers are an important bit of kit. They don’t feature on all types of boats, but when they are used it’s because they play a vital role in helping the helm or crew. Be it with manoeuvres or freeing up a hand to pull something else. Those that have sailed a single-handed trapeze boat, will know especially well how important they are.
However, most people who have sailed a dinghy or keelboat with a centre-mounted mainsheet jammer will have come across the issue of the mainsheet jammer not rotating to the correct orientation after a tack or gybe and causing the mainsheet to get wrapped or twisted. It’s extremely annoying, and in a worst-case scenario can lead to a capsize or broach.
The Merlin Rocket Owners’ Association is delighted to announce Allen Brothers as the title sponsor of the 2023 Inland Championships and the new South East Series launching this year.
The Allen Inland Championships will be hosted over the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd of April at Llangorse Sailing Club in Wales, and Allen has kindly donated some wonderful prizes which will be presented across the fleet. Entries are to open soon!
