Mastbase and cabintop blocks allow crew to raise, lower and trim sails from the cockpit. A variety of specialized blocks have evolved for routing lines aft.
Typical Boat Length:
Small Boat: 22' - 28' (6.7 - 8.5 m)
Midrange: 29' - 34' (8.8 - 10.4 m)
Big Boat: 35' - 42' (10.7 - 12.8 m)
1 Halyard
This simple system leads principle halyards aft. Used by boats under 30 ft (9 m).
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3 Halyards
Larger boats use special mastbase halyard lead blocks. Lines are routed out to deck organizers then aft to stoppers and winches. Stand-up blocks on a base are sometimes preferred for their complete articulation, but they hold halyards higher off the deck than specialized mastbase blocks.
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6 Halyards
Modern race boats lead halyards and control lines straight aft through deck organizers so they can be used on either cabintop winch.
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Over the Top
Special “over-the-top” blocks are required to route lines over an outside corner like the front of a doghouse or coaming.
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