I noticed there were a few older posts about Nautos blocks. Now that some of you have some years of use on them, how are the holding up? I need to replace my lower but I cannot get myself to spend the type of money required for Harken. Feedback please. Pete
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New Prindle 18-2 Owner
Former Prindle 18 Owner
Multiple Hobie 16s
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Webster Lake Indian Lake Narragnsett Bay in Rhode Island
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Nautos Blocks
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Posted: Feb 06, 2014 - 12:38 PM
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Posted: Feb 06, 2014 - 09:59 PM
I have a couple of fiddle blocks I've used for few seasons. Haven't had a problem. They aren't Harkens, but then nothing else really is.
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Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Posted: Feb 06, 2014 - 10:00 PM
Disclaimer: I am the US Distributor for Allen blocks.
Nautos is a company out of Brazil that all they do is copy blocks of other companies. They gained most of their momentum when Holt broke from Allen to partner with Nautos. Then the two of them had a falling out.
Allen has been manufacturing the blocks in the UK for 40+ years and has a high quality standard and a lifetime warranty. Our prices are not too far off from Harken or etc for the reason. In most cases the materials used by companies that can sell blocks cheaper than Allen, Harken, and Ronstan are not up to snuff and will not last. Especially when it comes to blocks made of plastic. There are exceptions of course.
Peter, I live in Quincy and would be happy to sort you out with some good blocks at a good deal. Send me an email Todd dot Riccardi at gmail dot com -
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Posted: Feb 07, 2014 - 10:46 AM
I have been a Harken fan for decades. They are the best.
I have been using Nautos as replacements for three years:
Jib Blocks - 5/16" Dacron line
Mini blocks and cam cleat with fairlead for adj. jib downhaul 1/4" Dacron
Laser fiddle vang w/cleat for adjustable trapeze line - 1/4" Dacron
As you can see, I have not yet tried main sheet blocks. My Harkens get loved and washed and polished every season. Based on the performance of Nautos' other gear, I would be willing to try their main sheet blocks.
Brazilian engineering has worldwide respect. What once was an in-house military aircraft shop is now the fourth largest commercial aircraft builder in the world. If you have flown anywhere in the US in a 120 seat jet, you probably flew Brazilian engineering.
Edited by klozhald on Feb 07, 2014 - 12:46 PM.
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Sheet In!
Bob
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Prindle 18-2 #244 "Wakizashi"
Prindle 16 #3690 "Pegasus" Sold (sigh)
AZ Multihull Fleet 42 member
(Way) Past Commodore of Prindle Fleet 14
Arizona, USA
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Posted: Feb 07, 2014 - 03:20 PM
They are good, but not as good as a Boeing. We run a fleet of Embryo's (Embraer), they do the job, but not with the same level of creature comforts for the pilots, or engineers who maintain them.
As noted above, it is pretty easy to copy a proven design, time will tell if they cheaped out on materials. Give those small blocks 10 years in the sun,(20 for main blocks) & if they hold up as well as the Harkens, then they will be a serious threat.
Perception counts for a lot in that business, if they can get their product onto Olympic & America Cup boats, they may be a force to be reckoned with.
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Posted: Feb 07, 2014 - 07:52 PM
Good points. The Nautos are probably fine unless you are hard on your parts but If it were me I would prefer to look for a used Harken setup for a mainsheet. Those blocks seem to last forever. Could you rebuild your lowers?
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Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Posted: Feb 08, 2014 - 05:08 AM
My Nautos mainsheet system is holding up great, I couldn't be happier with the purchase. I bought a "Classic Line" 57MM 6:1 triple stack setup which I have since converted to 7:1 (8MM Samson Trophy Braid mainsheet). At the time of my purchase the setup cost me about a third of what I would have paid for Harken equivalent and it came with a 5-year warranty. PayPal'd it right off Nautos' website and it arrived in less than a week. -
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Posted: Feb 08, 2014 - 06:30 AM
Harken's lifetime warranty (without need of proof of purchase) is reason enough for me to pay extra
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Posted: Feb 08, 2014 - 07:09 AM
Excuse me to hack this thread but since we are talking about blocks. When we say 57mm or 75mm block, where it is measured? at the OD or at the bottom of the sheave? I think it's the later but not sure.
Thanks.
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AB
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Posted: Feb 08, 2014 - 01:40 PM
Yeah, I understand that, and it was certainly a consideration when I bought the blocks. If the system fails in year 6 or whatever, I won't even bat an eye because that means I got 5+ years out of my (then) $130 investment. The system I replaced was a Harken system that failed (ratchet seized on a discontinued block). In any event, my experience having actually used the Nautos blocks for two seasons now has been positive.
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Posted: Feb 11, 2014 - 03:39 PM
Pretty sure Harken's warranty went limited while we weren't looking.
Original materials and workmanship only, with specific time limitations on some pieces.
Take a read:
http://www.harken.com/content.aspx?id=7798
Dissappointing, to say the least.
Edited by klozhald on Feb 11, 2014 - 03:45 PM.
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Sheet In!
Bob
_/)_____/)_/)____/)____/)_____/)/)__________/)__
Prindle 18-2 #244 "Wakizashi"
Prindle 16 #3690 "Pegasus" Sold (sigh)
AZ Multihull Fleet 42 member
(Way) Past Commodore of Prindle Fleet 14
Arizona, USA
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Posted: Feb 11, 2014 - 03:42 PM
The outside diameter of the sheave, not the diameter of the channel the line goes through.
Edited by klozhald on Feb 11, 2014 - 03:44 PM.
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Sheet In!
Bob
_/)_____/)_/)____/)____/)_____/)/)__________/)__
Prindle 18-2 #244 "Wakizashi"
Prindle 16 #3690 "Pegasus" Sold (sigh)
AZ Multihull Fleet 42 member
(Way) Past Commodore of Prindle Fleet 14
Arizona, USA
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Posted: Feb 11, 2014 - 05:57 PM
Looks like a Harken 2-7 year warranty in plain english you race at all if you ask me…..Hmmm... I'm in the process of looking for modern mainsheet blocks for my '81 H16 so this is a great thread!
Edited by fxloop on Feb 11, 2014 - 05:59 PM.
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Tim Grover
1996 Hobie Miracle 20
Two Hobie 14's
1983 G-Cat Restored
Memphis TN / North Mississippi
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Posted: Feb 11, 2014 - 06:11 PM
I've been trying out Viadana blks from sailcare.com. They appear to be moderate quality knock offs of several of Harken's lines, from Italy I believe. I don't have any of them in high load positions, and have only had them a couple of seasons, but good so far. Very attractive pricing, and nice folk to deal with.
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Posted: Feb 12, 2014 - 04:19 AM
Nice find on the blocks through sailcare! Some of those are perfect for the downhaul upgrade I want to do. Thanks. Pete
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New Prindle 18-2 Owner
Former Prindle 18 Owner
Multiple Hobie 16s
Boylston Massachusetts
Webster Lake Indian Lake Narragnsett Bay in Rhode Island
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Posted: Feb 12, 2014 - 07:00 AM
That warrantty page has a date on it of June 2008
I wouldn't be surprised if they still would do a repair for free.. worth checking out
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Posted: Feb 12, 2014 - 05:40 PM
There was a very recent entry here where the person talked with Harken and though they were nice, they turned him down for warranty repair.
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Sheet In!
Bob
_/)_____/)_/)____/)____/)_____/)/)__________/)__
Prindle 18-2 #244 "Wakizashi"
Prindle 16 #3690 "Pegasus" Sold (sigh)
AZ Multihull Fleet 42 member
(Way) Past Commodore of Prindle Fleet 14
Arizona, USA
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Posted: Feb 13, 2014 - 07:37 AM
any details?
surely there are items that fail to meet warranty replacement guidelines
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Posted: Feb 13, 2014 - 05:32 PM
It was me. They were nice. Technically, they warranty for five years, but it sounded like they would have tried to work with me if the block wasn't 28 years old. No, it is not a lifetime warranty. BTW, lifetime is a bit unreasonable, if you ask me. I mean c'mon, we beat the living crap out of these things :)
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New Prindle 18-2 Owner
Former Prindle 18 Owner
Multiple Hobie 16s
Boylston Massachusetts
Webster Lake Indian Lake Narragnsett Bay in Rhode Island
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Posted: Feb 14, 2014 - 06:44 AM
thanks for the details. I can't believe they wouldn't fix your 28 year old blocks! (jk)
my experience with Harken went like this
- I told them my ratchomatic main blocks didn't seem to be engaging ... they gave me tips to fix it (soak in hot water) - after that didn't fix it.. they said send them in . I asked if i need to find the receipt. They said no.
this was several years ago, but i was thoroughly impressed with their support (except they returned the blocks with something assembled backwards... I think it must have been the cleat. but i was able to turn it around correctly)
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