Block Rebuilds

Discussions regarding electronics, gear and other equipment of maintenance issues that ARE NOT SPECIFIC to a certain PDQ model yacht
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36041
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Block Rebuilds

Post by 36041 »

All,

Has anyone else had problems with the bearings in the Lewmar blocks? Over the last 10,000 miles we have had to rebuild every single block on board Dream Catcher.

Initially, we tried to get replacement parts from Lewmar, but the cost was so out of whack we couldn't even begin to contemplate getting the bearings from Lewmar. Last count I had was we needed 500 bearings and Lewmar was willing to sell them to us at the rate of 10 bearings for $10.

I did some experimenting and while this may sound weird, I was able to replace all of the blocks on Dream Catcher with plastic 22 caliber BB's as the ball bearings which I bought at Dickies Sports for $10 for 2500 BB's.

We have 3,000 miles on these guys now and have had zero problems. Just my two cents worth.

Tom

http://www.tendervittles.net
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