“The best thing about them is how they run under load... ...they almost run too fast” Series 70 Orbit Blocks™

“It’s sweet! I love the grip without excessive rope wear, plus heaps of mounting options; and it’s mega light - every gram counts!” Series 55 Orbit Blocks™

Photo - Andrea Francolini, www.afrancolini.com

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Orbit Blocks™ represent the future of racing sailboat hardware. The choice of the world’s best racing sailors, they offer a no-compromise solution. Their flexible Dyneema® Link technology comes from the latest trends in development classes and grand prix ocean racing. The product of meticulous engineering, they deliver the ultimate in strength, weight saving, holding power and control. Advanced fibre and polymer technology that is up to ten times stronger than steel delivers a product that is more compact and lighter too. Through 3D modelling, Finite Element stress analysis and mould flow analysis, our engineers made sure that everything performs both in the laboratory and in the real world.

“There’s not much gear on a Laser that you can change. But when it comes with a Ronstan ratchet, why would you?! - I never sail without it.”

Months of on-water testing by elite sailors pushed the product to their limits. After further strengthening and fine-tuning, they’re now ready for you to test for yourself. Hugh

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Photo - Andrea Francolini, www.afrancolini.com

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Series 55 Orbit Blocks™

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“On Asko we’re dealing with awesome power and speed all the time... ...our Series 70 auto Orbits make it a breeze” Series 70 Orbit Blocks™ Photo C/- Double Bay Sailing Club. Photographer: Brad Malyon

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BALL BEARING

Less friction, ultimate performance Ball Bearing Orbit Blocks™ boast the highest strength-to-weight ratio available. This is achieved through all-composite reinforced polymer materials and a Dyneema® rope link head. Their precision design allows the optimum number of ball bearings in loaded areas and eliminates them in inactive areas. Ineffective mass is reduced even further through fibre-reinforced composites in the block head and beckets.

Lightweight Kilogram for kilogram of working load, BB and RT Orbit Blocks™ are the world’s lightest. To gain peak performance, we engineered out the heavy steel load straps, head post, shackle and fulllength fasteners. Through extensive research and development, we replaced virtually all metal components with high-tech polymers and fibre equivalents. The unique orbital design allows the bearing to only be in the active areas of the floating sheave. This minimises the mass of the inactive return race and hub. Weight and bulk are further reduced in the different block configurations. The ball bearing becket blocks have a through-sheave becket arrangement. The result? The lowest weight possible. Multi-sheave blocks have only single intermediate cheeks and an ultra-light and efficient head arrangement. This gives a 30% weight saving advantage over the nearest competitor. Other brands just link together their single blocks. This results in unnecessary double cheeks between each sheave, held together by a heavy steel channel across the top of the block.

Highest working load in its class The orbital ball-bearing arrangement gives the largest possible bearing race diameter. This maximises load performance. The proven Ronstan 2-stage bearing system features high compression grade acetal ball bearings and a secondary full-contact bearing. This gives minimum friction across the full working load range. The floating sheave and bearing system is supported by a fibre-reinforced load frame. The design was computer modelled and optimised using stress analysis. The Dyneema® Link is produced from FSE Robline SK75 fibre, which is 10 times stronger and lighter than steel, and provides the final connection from the block to the load point.

Simple and secure attachment The Dyneema® Link is easily fitted and is retained securely by a moulded retainer clip. The flexible link can be left with one end attached to the block when fitting - no more lost shackle pins. The system is compatible with Dyneema®/Spectra® strops, webbing and carbon connection points - much more so than steel loop tops or shackles.

Low profile and compact The flexible Dyneema® Link provides controlled rotation and 0° or 90° orientation. It connects directly to the head of the block rather than to an intermediate head post. This reduces weight and gives the lowest possible profile while allowing full articulation. Beckets have been carefully designed to minimise height.

Low profile stand-up kit allows 0° or 90° alignment The RF2457 stand-up kit features a clatter-free rubber boot. You can attach the Dyneema® link so that the block is aligned with the stand-up base or across it. It’s a neat, low-profile solution which allows full articulation.

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3

Series 70 RF75101

RF75111

RF75211

Photo: Chris Savage / www.kospictures.com

Single inner cheek on double for reduced weight & bulk.

Sheave: Carbon fibre reinforced, PTFE impregnated Nylon.

RF75111 & RF75211 - Ultra low profile integrated becket.

Ball Bearings: High compression strength carbon black Acetal.

RF75151 - Recessed underside to suit curved mounting surface.

Stage 2 Bearing: Carbon fibre reinforced, PTFE impregnated Nylon.

Mainsheet systems and spinnaker sheets on sportsboats and small keel boats to 11m (36ft).

Frame/Cheeks: Toughened, glass fibre reinforced Nylon. Rope Link: UV stabilised, multi-strand impregnated SK75 Dyneema®.

Halyard, vang and backstay applications on boats to 9m (30ft). Control line applications on larger yachts.

PRODUCT No.

DESCRIPTION

SHEAVE DIAM. MAX. ROPE mm mm

M.W.L. kg

B.L. kg

WEIGHT g

SHEAVE DIAM. in.

MAX. ROPE in.

M.W.L. lb

B.L. lb

WEIGHT oz

Ball Bearing RF75101

Single

70

12

700

1400

128

2 3/4

1/2

1540

3080

4.5

RF75111

Single, becket

70

12

700*1

1400

141

2 3/4

1/2

1540*1

3080

5.0

RF75211

Double, becket

70

12

1100*2

2200

274

2 3/4

1/2

2420*2

4840

9.7

*1 Total block load. Load on becket not to exceed 50% of block load. ie. MWL 350kg (770lb), BL 700kg (1540lb). Suitable for 2:1 system at rated block load. *2 Total block load. Load on becket not to exceed 27% of block load. ie. MWL 300kg (660lb), BL 600kg (1320lb). Suitable for 4:1 system at rated block load.

4

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Series 70 2 x 8mm (5/16”) RF2457

RF70001

RF70002

RF9006-12

3 x 6mm (1/4”) RF75151

RF9005-10 Photo: Chris Savage / www.kospictures.com

PRODUCT No.

DESCRIPTION

SHEAVE DIAM. MAX. ROPE mm mm

M.W.L. kg

B.L. kg

WEIGHT g

SHEAVE DIAM. in.

MAX. ROPE in.

M.W.L. lb

B.L. lb

WEIGHT oz

Ball Bearing RF75151

Cheek

70

12

700

1400

122

2 3/4

1/2

1540

3080

4.3

Stand-up base, suits S70 BB & RT

-

-

700

1400

50

-

-

1540

3080

1.8

Accessories RF2457

PRODUCT No.

BLOCKS SUITED

Dyneema Links ®

RF9005-10

S70 BB & RT single Orbit Blocks™

RF75101, RF75111, RF76101, RF76111

RF9006-12

S70 BB double Orbit Block™

RF75211

Link Retainer Clips (2 pack) RF70001

S70 BB & RT single Orbit Blocks™

RF75101, RF75111, RF76101, RF76111

RF70002

S70 BB double Orbit Block™

RF75211

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5

RATCHET

Less fatigue, more control The world’s best ratchet block is now even better. It has the 25:1 holding power of its predecessor, but with superior rope wear performance. It’s lighter, and has fully automatic ratchet engagement. The NC-machined alloy sheave and simple mechanism ensures superb reliability and durability. It is essential equipment on racing dinghies, sports boats and small keel boats, and when you want the ultimate holding power.

Full automatic ratchet operation The ratchet mechanism engages when load is applied, but switches off when it’s released. This lets the sheet run out smoothly and freely- great for rapid easing of the sheet and for gybing asymmetric spinnakers.

Awesome ratchet block holding power Quite simply, Ronstan Ratchet Orbit Blocks™ have the highest holding power available. The sophisticated NC-machined sheave features Generation 2 of our patented sheave cross-hole geometry. Its holding power is up to 25:1, almost double that of our nearest competitor. The unique sheave design has 12 gripping faces which directly resist loaded line movement. Traditional designs have only 8 faces with an angled resistance to line movement. Our Generation 2 design has straight resistance faces which both distribute the load and minimise rope wear. These faces are offset from the radial line, to draw the rope down into the gripping area when under load.

Simple and secure attachment The Dyneema® Link is easily fitted and is retained securely by a moulded retainer clip. The flexible link can be left with one end attached to the block when fitting - no more lost shackle pins. The system is compatible with Dyneema®/Spectra® strops, webbing and carbon connection points - much more so than steel loop tops or shackles.

Smooth easing of sheets In auto mode, the sheet runs out smoothly and freely as soon as the ratchet mechanism disengages. In manual mode, the sheave crosshole geometry eliminates the ‘shuddering’ run-out that you can expect from traditional v-groove ratchet blocks.

Low profile stand-up kit allows 0° or 90° alignment Stand-up kits feature a clatter-free rubber boot. You can attach the Dyneema® link so that the block is aligned with the stand-up base or across it. It’s a neat, low-profile solution which allows full articulation.

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Series 70

2 x 8mm (5/16”)

RF2457

RF70001

RF76101 RF76111

25:1

RF9005-10

Photo: Bob Ross / www.yaffa.com.au

RF76111 - Integrated becket; no loose parts.

Dinghy mainsheet systems - when maximum holding power is required.

Spinnaker sheets on sports boats and small keel boats – especially modern asymmetric classes.

Mainsheet systems on sportsboats using RF7 mainsheet swivel cleat unit.

Sheave: Hard anodised Aluminium.

Control line applications on larger yachts.

Ball Bearings: High compression strength carbon black Acetal.

Spinnaker sheets on sportsboats and small keel boats (lateral lead blocks).

Frame/Cheeks: Toughened, glass fibre reinforced Nylon. Rope Link: UV stabilised, multi-strand impregnated SK75 Dyneema®.

SHEAVE DIAM. MAX. ROPE mm mm

PRODUCT No.

DESCRIPTION

Ratchet RF76101 RF76111 Accessories

Single, auto Single, becket, auto

70 70

RF2457

Stand-up base, suits S70 BB & RT Orbit Blocks™

-

M.W.L. kg

B.L. kg

WEIGHT g

SHEAVE DIAM. in.

MAX. ROPE in.

10 10

300 300*1

1250 1250

150 162

2 3/4 2 3/4

3/8 3/8

-

700

1400

50

-

-

M.W.L. lb

B.L. lb

WEIGHT oz

660 660*1

2750 2750

5.3 5.7

1540

3080

0.9

*1 Total block load. Load on becket not to exceed 41% of block load. ie. MWL 125kg (275lb), BL 250kg (550lb). Suitable for a 2:1 system at rated block load.

PRODUCT No. Dyneema Links RF9005-10 Link Retainer Clips (2 pack) RF70001

BLOCKS SUITED

®

S70 BB & RT single Orbit Blocks™

RF75101, RF75111, RF76101, RF76111

S70 BB & RT single Orbit Blocks™

RF75101, RF75111, RF76101, RF76111

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Series 55

RF56511

RF56531

NEW

RF56331B

SERIES 55 MODELS

Hole in small sheave suits becket line attachment, either direct or with Dyneema® Link. RF56331B - Underhung becket is suitable for terminating the sheet, or attachment of a ‘piggy back’ block for greater purchase*2.

PRODUCT No.

DESCRIPTION

Ratchet RF56331B RF56511 RF56531

Triple, underhung becket, adjustable cleat, auto Fiddle*1, becket, auto & manual Fiddle*1, becket, adjustable cleat, auto

SHEAVE DIAM. MAX. ROPE mm mm 55 55 + 35 55 + 35

10 10 10

M.W.L. kg

B.L. kg

750*2 250 250

1500 750 750

WEIGHT g

SHEAVE DIAM. in.

MAX. ROPE in.

M.W.L. lb

B.L. lb

WEIGHT oz

349 108 231

2 5/32 2 5/32 + 1 3/8 2 5/32 + 1 3/8

3/8 3/8 3/8

1650*2 550 550

3300 1650 1650

12.3 3.8 8.6

*1 Fiddle sheave has a high load full contact bearing (ie. not ball bearing). Main sheave has two-stage, ball bearing. *2 Total block load. Load on underhung becket not to exceed 33% of block load. ie. MWL 250kg (700lb), BL 500kg (1100lb). Underhung becket suits attachment of ‘piggyback’ block for creation of 7:1 or greater purchase.

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