Boom preventer: Antal low-friction ring vs turning block opinions?

[JohnV]

I'm considering using an Antal low-friction ring in place of turning blocks on my boom preventer. The current design is, the (Sta-set X) preventer line runs from boom-end through a large snatchblock on the foredeck back to a turning block aft of the primary winch, thence through a rope clutch to the winch. The boat is a heavy 33' cruiser (Alajuela).
The load on it, as I see it and when in use downwind, is normally static and minimal with occasional minor bumping from the boom in light air. The real load would be a shock in the event of an accidental gybe, and then during the process of easing pressure off the line. So I question the need for a (more complex & costly) block, given all of that. Seems to me that actual drag or friction in its intended use would be an advantage, rather than an obstacle.
By the same logic I could use another ring in place of the block at the foredeck, from where the preventer line returns to the boom end.
Thanks for any thoughts or opinions on this.
John V.

[benz]

Hi John,

Antal rings are great for any application where you're not heaving lots of line though under load: I'd not use one for a mainhalyard, for instance. But for your purposes, they're perfect. I run my Stay'sl and jib sheets through Antal rings rather than blocks, and it works perfect (high load/short run).
Ben

[Ian McColgin]

I can see the rings for fairleads and lizards but what's the effect of turning modern cordage through ninety or more degrees over such a small radius?

[JohnV]

Thanks for the replies--
Ben, those gizmos are such a break with tradition that I think most of us--at least true of myself--are hard-wired to overlook them.
Ian, that question was one of the reasons for my post. A bigger radius would be preferable, but in this application, is such a small radius still a problem even though the actual load is static, momentary and infrequent? I don't know the answer to that.
John

[benz]

The small radius won't be a problem for Sta-set, especially since I doubt you're loading to anything near it's working load.
It's neat how many uses there are for very simple things on boats. I think for many years (and still as well), manufacturers have duped consumers into thinking that something more complex must be better. It has been the source of much profit for them, and much unnecessary clutter for sailors.

[Stumble]

Actually modern high tech stuff is less prone to bending issues than older lines. Dyneema has been shown to retain full breaking strength at 1:1 bend:size.