Goodbye block! The low-cost revolving ring exists and they make it in Italy

Another Made-in-Italy “jewel” arrives at Antal, the Padua-based company specializing in deck equipment. Twelve years after the launch of the first “low friction ring,” Sector, the new swivel ring with moving insert, small size and low weight, is born.

The complete product range includes 4 models with SWL (Safe Working Load, which is the speed at which the ring works safely, equal to 1/3 of the breaking load) from 1 to 3.8 tons.

Reduce costs

Giulio Eusepi, Techcnical Sales Engineer at Antal, tells us, “Our main goal was to minimize cost, weight and complications. Regarding price, I would say mission accomplished. The product has relatively low production costs. It involves turning the rings and molding a few pieces of plastic. We have tried to be on the sailor’s side (as always), so we have much lower prices than our competitors.”

And indeed, the complete Sector ring + dyneema snap loop system comes at a very attractive price indeed. It starts from 54 euros for the S model reaching a maximum of 120 euros for the XL version.

Performance

We come to performance. “The smoothness tests we did were very satisfactory, especially with high loads, but obviously this system will never have the efficiency of a traditional pulley with fiber or even roller bearing. So the Sector is a product that we recommend on those maneuvers with high loads and rare, “small” movements in excursion (such as flying or tacking of headsails), but it is not the best solution for maneuvers that undergo continuous and/or very large adjustments (such as mainsail sheet or spi sheet). Although, at the latter juncture, practice may prove us wrong.”

The Sector is also available without Antal Snap Loop (prices from 32 to 72 euros), for “custom” fasteners (in this case the SWL depends on the strength of the fastener but must not exceed Antal’s values).

The recommendation is to use Dyneema rope or loop without cover in the center hole to reduce friction; stocking ropes should be used in the outer groove.

THE NEW SECTOR CAN BE FOUND HERE

Watch Sector’s video presentation:

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