Email Print
New concept blocks from Barton
Companies spend many thousands if not millions of pounds over the years developing their products to make them more contemporary and appealing to today’s user.
For Barton Marine this has meant redesigning its blocks so they have a more ‘sophisticated’ look.
The concept blocks are available in four sizes and have been developed to be a darker colour – dark slate – with the same ‘design endurance and the same bullet-proof reliability that Barton has built its reputation on over the last 70 years,’ explained Suzanne Blaustone, Barton Marine CEO.
The new blocks feature a continuous internal stainless strip for extra durability, with glass load nylon side checks riveted together for overall reliability.
They are available in plain bearing and ball bearing sheaves.
“We have developed a more sophisticated, contemporary look,” explained Ms Blaustone. “We’ve been very customer led, they wanted continuity and a sexy design that will put us back in the market for some of the racers.”
The redesign follows on from Barton’s recent introduction of wooden blocks. This range has proved so popular, particularly with classic boat sailors, that a new size has been added to the range, an 80mm block that will take a 14mm rope.
The product has been designed to provide low friction and high performance. In addition, they can be easily taken apart using Barton’s fastener tool for refurbishment.
The reason we made them the way we did is that with wooden blocks, people need to take them apart and refurbish them,” explained Ms Blaustone.
“Once a season people will revarnish them. I think we’re probably the only block manufacturer enabling people to do this.”
Barton is also working on other developments – its boomstrut has been tested by around 50 Folk Boats on the Solent and has just been made race legal by the association.
The boomstrut can be fitted in conjunction with existing boat hardware, and is designed to help with boom control.