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49er Fittings Guide: System by System Breakdown by Allen

The 49er is an adrenaline-pumping racing machine that demands top-notch control and rock-solid reliability from its hardware. At Allen, we’re all about crafting high-performance sailing gear designed for sailors who mean business.

In this guide, we’ll break down the fittings on a 49er, system by system, making it super easy to see what you need and why. Whether you’re tweaking your setup for lightweight or dialling it in for minimal friction, this guide has you covered.

Check out the list below for a breakdown of the key fittings and don’t miss the full video tour of a seriously tricked-out boat!

Block Guide

When fitting out your 49er, one of the biggest decisions you’ll face is choosing between lighter products and those with less friction. Both offer distinct advantages, but the right choice depends on your sailing goals, style, and the conditions you race in. Here’s a snapshot of the various options we offer.

High Load Blocks feature a stainless steel sheave, caged ball bearings, and axle, providing higher working loads, reduced friction, and improved durability compared to standard blocks. The stainless steel construction minimises sheave deformation under load, maintaining efficiency and performance. While slightly heavier due to the stainless steel sheave, these blocks excel in high-load applications, offering reliable operation and long-term durability where strength and efficiency are critical.

Dynamic Blocks are designed with an acetal sheave, caged stainless steel ball bearings, and a stainless steel axle. They are lighter than the High Load block alternative and deliver excellent performance compared to similar products on the market. However, they are not as effective as High Load blocks when working constantly at higher loads.

Plain Bearing Blocks are designed without ball bearings, making them more cost-effective and lighter. However, this comes with the trade-off of increased friction. Their simple construction allows them to handle significantly higher working loads than both High Load and Dynamic Blocks, as there are no bearings that could be damaged under extreme stress.

Smooth and responsive sheeting is crucial for controlling the 49er’s powerful sails, especially during manoeuvres.

 

System SKU Description Quantity Alternative SKU
Mainsheet Ratchet Block A21401 Pro-Ratchet 40 1 A2150
Mainsheet Boom Blocks A2030HL 30mm High Load Single 2 A2030 / A2030Tii / A2030TiiHL
Mainsheet Bridal Block A2030HL 30mm High Load Single 1 A2030 / A2030Tii / A2030TiiHL

 

With the beefed-up loads from the new stiffer sails, keeping things smooth is key to making jib trimming a breeze. Swap out your blocks for our high-load versions and throw in our new high-performance swivel cleat to keep friction to a minimum and your setup running sweet!

 

System SKU Description Quantity Alternative SKU
Jib Track Car Block A2020XHL Extreme High Load 20mm Single 1 A2030HLF / A2030F
Jib Swivel Cleat A5866-77 High Performance Swivel Cleat 1 A4866XB-ANGLED
Jib Purchase Outer A2030TiiHL 30mm Single High Load Tii-On 1 A2030Tii / A2030
Jib Purchase Inner A2020TiiHL 20mm Single High Load Tii-On 1 A2020Tii / A2020Ti3 / A2020Ti3HL
Jib Sheet Cheek Blocks A2026HL 20mm Cheek Block High Load 2 A2026
Jib Sheet Ball Stopper A..22 Small Ball Stopper 1  
Jib Shackle A-622105 5mm Jib Shackle 1

 

Being able to quickly and easily adjust the Vang or Cunningham is super important. The goal is to make the change and get back to full trapezing as fast as possible. So, having a system with low friction and precise control can really make a difference.

One way to improve this system is by using articulating double or triple blocks. These blocks are different from others because they can move independently from each other, which lets them align perfectly with the load on the line. This helps keep the rope centred on the sheave, reducing friction.

Add a high-load sheave to the mix, and you’ve got the ultimate low-friction system.

 

System SKU Description Quantity Alternative SKU
Control Line Cheek Blocks A2026HL 20mm Cheek Block High Load 4 A2026
Control Line Double Blocks A2022AHL 20mm Double Articulating High Load 4 A2022TiiHL / A2022Tii / A2022 / A2022HL
Control Line Triple Block A2024AHL 20mm Triple Articulating High Load 1 A2024
Control Line Single Block A2020HL 20mm High Load Single 1 A2020 / A2020Tii / A2020TiiHL / A2020Ti3HL / A2020Ti3
Kicker Mast Vang Block A2020HL 20mm High Load Single 1 A2020 / A2020Tii / A2020TiiHL / A2020Ti3HL / A2020Ti3
Control Line Take Up Blocks A2020PTi3 20mm Plain Bearing Ti3-On 4 A2020P / A4078 / A2020
Control Line Thimble A..87-20 20mm Aluminium Thimble (Black) 4  A.156
Control Line Cleat CL211M1A Racing Junior Clamcleat 4  

 

Getting your kite up quickly is a big deal, and there’s a specific block in the 49er setup that you can tweak to match your style. You’ve got two options: you can either lash together Tii-on blocks for a custom back-to-back setup or go for a ready-made back-to-back block straight off the shelf.

Here’s a handy tip: the size of the sheave (the wheel in the block) matters. Bigger sheaves spin slower but make pulling easier, kind of like the gears on a bike. Think about how a big chain ring gives you an easier gear for climbing—blocks work in a similar way. So, if you’re after a lightning-fast hoist, go for a smaller sheave, but just know it’ll take a bit more effort to pull.

 

System SKU Description Quantity Alternative SKU
Spinnaker Pole Deck Block A4993 + A4035 25mm Single Clevis Pin Head HL 1  
Spinnaker Pole And Halyard Back To Back Block A2038HL 30mm High Load Back To Back 1 A2030Tii / A2040Tii / A2050Tii / A2038
Spinnaker Halyard Cleat A..77-497 Cam Cleat With Mega Pro Lead – Small 1  
Spinnaker Halyard Ring A..56 Nylon Sail Ring 1  
Spinnaker Halyard Take Up Block A2020Tii 20mm Single Tii-On 1 A2020Ti3
Spinnaker Halyard Hoist And Drop Blocks A20401SRHL + A4033 40mm Single With Lacing Eye And Spring HL 2 A20401S / A1034
Spinnaker Sheet Ratchet Blocks A2360WAVE X2 Auto Ratchet 60 WAVE Sheave 2 A2150 / A2160 / A2160WAVE / A2360 / A21401B

 

Don’t worry, we’ve even got the fine details covered! Here’s a short list of some of those extra bits and bobs which are just as important!

 

System SKU Description Quantity Alternative SKU
Jib And Main Halyard Tensioners A8606 6mm Dog Bone 2 A8608 / A9603 / A9604
Jib Tack Dog Bones A8606 6mm Dog Bone 1 A8608 / A9603 / A9604
Trapeze Ring A4261 Wide Trapeze Ring With 20mm Block 4  
Trapeze Cleat CL253 Trapeze ClamCleat 4  
Fast Pins A5005 5mm Fast Pin 4  
Shroud Adjusters A4772 Heavy Duty Vernier Adjuster 2  
Boat Breaker Cleat Block A2027 20mm Triple, Cleat and Becket Block 1  
Boat Breaker Cheek Blocks A2026 20mm Cheek Block 3  
Outhaul Clip A-64000 Small Snap Shackle 1  

 

We hope this guide has given you some useful insights into setting up your 49er skiff for peak performance. Remember, small tweaks can make a big difference on the racecourse. If you’ve got any questions or want advice on specific fittings, feel free to get in touch with us—we’re always happy to help you fine-tune your setup! - Allen Brothers.