[Rhodes22-list] Tools and Supplies

[TN Rhodey]

Snatch blocks..... not just fun to say they are also very useful. I have a 
cheapy I use as barber hauler to change sheeting angles as previously 
described.

Wally


>From: Robert Skinner <robert at squirrelhaven.com>
>Reply-To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Tools and Supplies
>Date: Fri, 16 Jun 2006 10:01:04 -0400
>
>Bill Effros wrote:
> > Slim,
> > I like to have a snatch block on board, too.
> > I don't know how I would use it, but I like the sound of it.
> > Bill Effros
>-----------------------------------------------------------
>Bill, of all people, I would have thought you'd
>have a grip (so to speak) on this one:
>
>"snatch block    NOUN: Nautical A block that can be
>opened on one side to receive the looped part of a rope."
>
> >From The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English
>Language: Fourth Edition.  2000.
>
>As to practical uses:
>
>When deploying an anchor,
>
>1.  I do not want to disconnect the bitter end of the rode
>from its fastening.  Just bad policy, and further, there is
>usually a shackle and thimble the bitter end (depending on
>the anchor I choose), so it cannot be threaded through a pulley.
>A snatch block can be attached at any place and time to the
>center of a line under stress.
>
>2.  I do want the main strain on the rode to be taken by the
>forward cleat, and I want the line to pass through the guide
>on the side I want to windward, depending on chop and tide.
>But I also want to deploy and retrieve the anchor from the
>cockpit.  When single-handing, as I do most of the time, that's
>the place to be.  It's also easier to wash down the anchor from
>there.  A snatch block allows me to pull the rode back to the
>cockpit from its fastening on the bow deck to manage the anchor.
>
>4.  I do want to be able to rig a bridle so that the boat does
>not "hunt" back and forth while at anchor, and to position it
>properly to minimize the effect of swells and chop.  While a
>rolling hitch would accomplish that, it is slower to rig and
>more difficult to tune at oh-dark-thirty.  A snatch block can be
>added or adjusted at any time with minimal effect on the set of
>the anchor.
>
>5.  Having the ability to put a lateral strain on a line easily
>is valuable.  With a snatch block, it is so much faster and easier
>than having to (disconnect and) pass a portion thru a sheave that
>I regard this gear as very important to have, and it is on the top
>of my main anchor bucket.
>
>Brad, I do have to be careful when explaining this piece of
>gear's name and use when passengers of a delicate nature are on
>board.  It once resulted in a huff that had just that effect, as
>my definition was not believed.
>
>One source:
>
>http://store.catsailor.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&grp=416
>
>Usage :
>
>Google "snatch block" usage
>
>/Robert Skinner
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