When to use thimbles instead of blocks?

[tolachi]

Originally Posted by Brian Duff

your on the right track.

that bare spectra line (photo) helps things as it is so slippery itself.

any short travel application might be alright without a turning sheave, as long as it doesn't need to move much or at all once loaded.

add backstays, runners, lazyjacks, topping lifts, etc.

Thanks Brian. At this point I am thinking that the application must be either low travel or low deflection. Single braid spectra seems like an important part of the equation.

I am guessing that in addition to the unexplodability of the thimble you would encounter some cost savings with larger applications. However, for dinghy's and small keelboats that I sail on it actually doesn't seem to be cheaper than a small harken wire block.