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A good ratchet block is one of the simplest upgrades you can make to a dinghy mainsheet or control line, taking the strain off your hands so you can hold the sheet through a gust without burning your fingers. The ratchet mechanism lets the line run freely when you ease, then grips firmly when loaded, giving you up to ten times more holding power. We stock ratchet blocks from leading dinghy hardware brands including Harken, Allen and Ronstan, with sizes and bearing types to suit everything from club boats to performance racers.
Ratchet blocks suit anyone who sails a boat with meaningful mainsheet or kite loads, from weekend club sailors to competitive racers. The benefit is straightforward: less effort holding the sheet, more concentration on boat speed and tactics. Some blocks ratchet constantly, while others switch on and off so you can choose free running or grip depending on conditions and point of sail.
When choosing a ratchet block, match the sheave diameter to your line size and check the maximum working load against your rig. Decide whether you want a fixed ratchet, a switchable on/off version, or an auto-switching block. Bearing choice matters too: ball bearings run smoother under light loads, while roller bearings cope better with heavy sustained loads.
