Sail22 Tips & Tricks: A Way to Lighten Your Boat

Sail22 Tip & Trick: Using aluminum ferrules is a great way to lighten up the purchase on vangs, backstays and other systems. You can buy ferrules or sometimes even just use sailmakers thimbles. The breaking strength on a ferrule is much higher than a wire block and they are less expensive and much lighter.

Sailmakers Thimble and 5mm Ferrule

As long as it isn't a purchase system that is being using all of the time, a ferrule will not wear out your lines. Part of the reason for this is the larger circumference on the ferrule. If you need ideas where you can use one on your boat or you just want to buy them, let us know. You can save a lot of money while lightening things up. If you know how to splice you can save even more. But don't try this if you aren't comfortable with your splicing ability. Have Sail22 do it for you or contact your local rigger.

5mm Ferrule with a Dyneema loop spliced on for easy attachment to a padeye. Common ferrule sizes are based on the rope size needed.

5mm OD: 24mm ID: 10mm Width: 10mm Weight: .01 lbs Deforms at: 2,500lbs 6mm OD: 29mm ID: 11mm Width: 13mm Weight: .02 lbs Deforms at: 7000 lbs 8mm OD: 36mm ID: 14mm Width: 16mm Weight: .04 lbs Deforms at: 12,500lbs 9mm OD: 46mm ID: 20mm Width: 18mm Weight: .08 lbs Deforms at: 15,000lb 10mm OD: 54mm ID: 24mm Width: 22mm Weight: .10 lbs Deforms at: 17,500lbs 12mm OD: 64mm ID: 26mm Width: 24mm Weight: .20 lbs Deforms at: pulled to 20,000 lbs with no deformation