Deck equipment: everything you need to know about changing it

The deck of a sailboat-cruising or racing-is the most lived-in area of the boat during sailing, the one that houses the crew and allows the boat to maneuver in any situation. Most of the elements on the deck are as essential on cruising boats as they are on racing boats, as a matter of functionality but also, and more importantly, as a matter of safety. Renewing deck equipment, moreover, is a great way to maintain or elevate the value of a used boat.

What deck equipment can’t be missed on board?

Of all the deck equipment on a sailboat’s deck, there is everything: rails, blocks, trolleys, vang cylinders, winches, stoppers, rail stops, control lines, sheets, deferrals… Plenty of accessories can be found on the deck, all of which should be carefully maintained and-as is often necessary to do-replaced if they malfunction.

At SVB Marine you’ll find everything you need to maintain and replace your deck equipment

blocks and turnbuckles

One of the ways to make the deck easier and more efficient is certainly the choice of “smart” and strategically placed blocks, pulleys and deferrals to lessen the effort on the part of the crew and defer all maneuvering in the cockpit. We are not only talking about traditional positions, but also-for example-the increasingly used jib barbers, which allow 3D adjustment of the headsail. Watch the load capacity of the blocks (always read the product information), the advice when in doubt is to get them slightly oversized.

• To help you choose the right block for your boat, you can consult SVB Marine’s guide

Portholes and hatches

In boats, they constitute the “communication points” between the inside and the outside, allowing for good livability: we are talking about portholes, skylights, hatches and manholes. There are really so many different types, from blackout ones (even with UV covers) that keep the sun and heat from entering, to transparent ones with mosquito nets and other retractable accessories to keep insects from entering. When replacing these accessories-even in the case of replacement parts such as gaskets and handles-very careful attention should be paid to dimensions, checking patterns and measurements well.

• You can find the main models in the appropriate section of the SVB Marine website.

Metal cables for stanchions (also custom-made)

Speaking of deck equipment, let’s not forget about stanchions, i.e., draperies, stanchions and pulpits, which in some cases are also the solutions that allow mounting structures such as awnings and sunshades. SVB Marine has its own press and offers custom machining, with the ability to make metal and cable fittings – in stainless steel from 3 to 16 mm – also useful for fixed and current maneuvers.

• Learn more about SVB Marine’s custom cable fabrication service here.