The next generation....

Last week I had taken each of my kids to work with me... I was able to get my son in my climbing chair and hoist him up the mast...

He is actually waving to "Mommy"... "Look how high I am" was the exact phrase... There are some things he is not afraid of... we have to beware of those things... He isn't really that high up, maybe 15', but for some one that is less than 4' tall, it is huge....






Here is a pic of him up the same mast, from the dock...


Of course, the boat sheds in the background make it seem higher... but is good bragging rights!!!!!

He was helping handing tools and even helped raised a sail, he pushed the electric winch button... it is tough keeping him focused, but for the money, what can I expect...

Balls or no balls???

Many times I have customers asking about the benefits of ball-bearing blocks... they mainly ask if they should use ball-bearings or no ball bearings (standard block)... It really depends on what, how and where you are using them... Many times for cruising boats, I would use standard non-ball bearing blocks... These sailors usually do not have the opportunity to flush out the bearings and keep them rolling smoothly... Many ball-bearing blocks have a lower working load than standard blocks... If the block is used for many adjustments, then a ball-bearing block would be beneficial, where a standard block benefits from static loads... Standard blocks do not "suffer" if you do not rinse them out...

So, it really comes down to what you are using the block for: cruising, racing, day sailing or even extreme sailing...