Blog

Extract from Seahorse Technical Briefing, June 2026 edition.

Allen’s blocks are moving on up from Moths to Cape 31s and even Imoca 60s, with a two-tonne max working load…

From its humble 1950s beginnings by two brothers in a garden shed, Allen has always set its sights on quality and performance. Over the years, the company has built a strong reputation for small boat blocks and hardware, specialising in high-speed, high-load products that over the past decade became the go-to among top Olympic and Moth campaigners.

Now Allen is expanding its range, this time to meet the needs of the keelboat market. The coming months will see the roll-out of a range of 45mm and 60mm High Roller blocks, the first products of this type in the company’s catalogue. The range responds to demands from those seeking the edge offered by Allen’s precision-engineering approach and race-winning reputation. Its development has been at the request of boatbuilders and race teams alike.

This comprehensive series of roller bearing blocks is specifically intended for high-speed systems of up to 2,000kg working load, so is ideal for sheets, halyards, runners and other high-load control lines for which low-friction handling is key. Expect to see single and double sheave options, shackle variants, flip-flop configurations and more, all with custom-coloured anodised finishes available.

Originating with the 60mm Single Tii-On High Roller Block, initially developed and tested on a British Imoca 60 round-the-world race campaign, the series has been designed and manufactured at Allen’s Essex-based facility. The site itself has recently undergone expansion to increase production capacity, together with investment in new CNC and VMC tooling.

Ben Harden, head of marketing, says this pioneering 60mm High Roller block has been available for around 12 months now, and has been well-received across multiple keelboat classes. It features widely in the Cape 31 class, for example, most notably on Michael Wilson’s multiple class circuit winner, Shotgunn.

With working load, rather than a boat’s LOA, determining usage, together with maximum line diameter (in this case 13mm), there’s plenty of scope in the market. When that working load max is not far off two tonnes, and the breaking load is double that, Harden says the High Roller blocks provide an obvious advantage over similar-sized equivalents, despite a fractionally heavier overall weight.

This may be Allen’s first range of products designed specifically for the big boat market, but the design heritage draws directly from their popular and well-proven 30mm XHL (Extreme High Load) block.

“For more than a decade, this has been the leading choice for use with the most demanding dinghy systems – think Moth vang assemblies,” says Harden, “where low-friction performance and high-load capability is critical, and a compact yet robust form is required.”

With the new High Roller Block range, Allen has taken the same approach to design and materials – and pushed it even further. Where smaller blocks rely on a simpler stainless-steel ball bearing arrangement, for the High Roller block, Allen spent three years assessing and developing multiple bearing design iterations. The final product incorporates dual-configured roller bearings designed to further eliminate friction.

The main load runs on caged PEEK (polyetheretherketone) roller bearings, which are noted for strength, wear resistance and dimensional stability under sustained stress. Precise configuration of these long, barrel-shaped elements distributes load evenly across the maximum surface, allowing efficient rotation under very high loads.

 

As the 2025–26 sailing season winds down, it’s been a great chance to reflect on what’s been another fun year on the water and in boat parks around the country.

This quick reference guide converts common Forespar pole end sizes into metric measurements, making it easier to choose the right fit first time.

INDUSTRIAL BLOCKS – CE CERTIFIED

Industrial snatch blocks are designed for easy use in commercial, industrial or marine settings to move or lift loads securely.

These durable snatch blocks are made of 316 stainless steel with anodised aluminium sheaves and are CE certified and stamped. The Industrial Range handles rope or wire thicknesses of 8-14 mm – and a special design that handles 32mm line. Snatch blocks are easy to load and instantly
mobile for diverse projects used for:
● Construction sites / manufacturing sites
● Commercial marine environments
● Rigging projects
● Agricultural, building repairs, home improvements
● Entertainment venues
● Lift and pulling applications
● CE certified and stamped

 

 

BLOCK ON A STROP – CE CERTIFIED

This special block was designed and developed for marinas, scaffolders, builders and any engineer who needs multiple lift options at a given worksite. Manufactured of graphite glass filled nylon and stainless steel, this durable Series 7 precision plain or ball bearing sheave block is CE certified for secure quality and compliance.

The stainless steel becket at the base an attachment point when required. The attached Dyneema spliced strop can be slipped around a pole, tube or bar to create a bespoke lifting device for tools, equipment or panels - and then removed or relocated when the job is complete.

CE approved at 4:1 rating.
The WLL can be reviewed for marine applications.

Custom Design & Build

Custom Design and UK Manufactured Equipment for Marine and Industrial Applications

Barton has a long history of developing solutions for general industrial and marine applications in steel, metals and graded plastics. From telecom rigging to gym equipment, from dinghy kits to commercial barge blocks, Barton’s design and engineering team can assess your requirements and performance standards to produce significant results for your projects. Barton partnerships with OEMs and their individual market sectors, have resulted in key advances and equipment strategies for multiple applications worldwide.

Barton design and manufacture in the UK, so projects progress at pace with minimal lead times to meet crucial delivery schedules. Contact Us for more information and to discuss marine and general industrial projects.

 

Once again, it was fantastic to head back up to Port Stephens for the Women Who Sail Australia Gathering on the Bay.

The Barton Boomstrut works alongside your existing kicker or rope vang to create upward lift on your boom helping to keep the desired sail shape even in light winds.

Nine full days on the road took me from the South Coast of NSW through Victoria, then on to Goolwa and Adelaide in South Australia.

Mel is back in the warehouse after a whirlwind trip to Europe for Boot Düsseldorf—a quick but incredibly worthwhile visit.

Australian Coastguard has now been using our Bungy mooring line snubbers for towing boats in trouble at sea in some of the most demanding situations you can imagine.

DeckHardware is proud to announce that after many years of friendship with the team at Sea Sure, we will now officially distribute their range of marine products in the region.

Sea Sure has built a strong reputation for innovation and quality in the sailing and marine industry, offering products that meet our standards of performance and reliability. This partnership marks an exciting step forward for DeckHardware as we continue to expand on the brands we distribute and deliver world-class solutions to sailors and marine enthusiasts across the region. As well as complementing our growing range of product suitable for Industrial applications.

“We’ve known the Sea Sure team for many years and have always caught up when both at METSTRADE” said Mel Yeomans - DeckHardware. “Bringing their range to our customers is a natural progression and we’re excited to strengthen this relationship.”

“We are really looking forward to working with Mel and the team at DeckHardware” Said Daniel Henderson, Managing Director @ Sea Sure Ltd. “ We are excited to get our world leading dinghy transom products in front of the sailors in their region, as well as getting our growing industrial product range into businesses across Australia”.

The Sea Sure range will be available through DeckHardware’s distribution network, ensuring easy access for retailers and end-users alike. This collaboration reinforces DeckHardware’s mission to provide premium products that enhance the sailing experience.

For more information about the Sea-Sure range please visit https://sea-sure.co.uk/ as we work to get all the products up on the DeckHardware website. Contact DeckHardware should you have any questions or are interested in the range.