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Mainsheet block replacement question

schlepper

John m. Harrison
My mainsheet block on the 383 has a bad sheave in it, the plastic in it just gave out from age. I am assuming I will have to drop the headliner to remove the bolts and washers to remove the bad block and then re-bed and reinstall the new block, etc. But before I dive into that, I thought it worth asking, is there a backing plate under there that maybe is threaded so the headliner doesn't have to come down? I am not looking forward to doing that with the rains we are having in our traditional Florida Summer! If headliner has to come down, any tips so I don't damage the panels or make it to where I have to drop several panels to get the one down?
 
Hi John - I replaced my mainsheet block a couple of years ago and was surprised to find there was no backing plate. I believe a previous owner had his hand in there someplace because it was moved to a different location & I would think the factory would have a backing plate. (?) Anyway, I reinstalled with a proper backing plate and did the proper drilling of a larger hole, epoxy, then drilling thru the epoxy to keep the core protected.

The headliner was easier to remove & reinstall than I thought it would be. Just kept track of where each piece of trim went and it was a piece of cake.
 
And my experience is that Morgan, bless them, never used backing plates, even when minimal nautical practice would call for them--except on mooring cleats.
 
My mainsheet block on the 383 has a bad sheave in it, the plastic in it just gave out from age. I am assuming I will have to drop the headliner to remove the bolts and washers to remove the bad block and then re-bed and reinstall the new block, etc. But before I dive into that, I thought it worth asking, is there a backing plate under there that maybe is threaded so the headliner doesn't have to come down? I am not looking forward to doing that with the rains we are having in our traditional Florida Summer! If headliner has to come down, any tips so I don't damage the panels or make it to where I have to drop several panels to get the one down?

John, contact Guido @ Garhauer for oversize blocks and additional purchase options. A great improvement in sheeting effort.
The headliner is just a bunch of screws and easy to remove and put back in place. I do not remember what block backing was there but I didn't feel the need to reinforce it. And I had aluminum plate available. Fender washers I'll bet. The multiple purchase point and max pressure is on the boom & traveler, the blocks from the mast to cabin winch are the recipients of the leverage ratio. So less stress. I think at least! I posted a picture of the blocks in a previous thread. If you're in the market for a traveler...Garhauer's the bomb.
 
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