TyeTec – It’s German for good, sound technology

by John Curnow on 2 Nov 2016 Fundamentals like good design, hard anodised aluminium, and Dyneema® cordage make TyeTec’s products strong, light and ultra durable. Add in good looking, in that typically German, very Teutonic, form follows function sort of a way, and you’re getting the picture in full 5k UHD.

TyeTec® offer complete rigging solutions, but our interest presently is in the loop/soft running rigging products. These modern, high-strength fibre attached fittings are widely used on racing yachts because they are light, yet very strong. This stems from being milled, machined or ground from solid, then manufactured in small batches and subject to strict quality control. Yes. Sounds very Germanic…

Now use them, and you find they are as cool to work with as their looks, and their applications perform just as well for cruising boats. No scorching hot padeyes on your feet or solid 316 to bang into as you slide across the deck. There are easy to open snatch blocks that don’t require extreme dexterity from frozen fingers. Yes, this is intelligent stuff, indeed. Don’t forget easy to mount, durable single loop blocks for 2:1 reduction on your mainsail halyard.

Yes, the options are only limited by your awareness of the products. Now I was fortunate enough to speak with Gaelle Marks from Wichard Pacific once again. She commented, “The Wichard Group has been representing TyeTec around the globe for many years now. The range of loop and rigging products is seen on more and more yachts around the country, however they remain still relatively unknown amongst cruising boats. This is a real shame, for they would absolutely benefit from the super light, but super strong products developed by the company.”

Getting straight into it, Marks said, “TyeTec opening snatch blocks are of great value if you are looking for high load/light weight option. They are very easy to open, as the side casings slide open, operate quickly, and immensely versatile too, which makes them great for mast base, emergency sheeting, outboard sheeting, tweakers, inhaulers/barberhaulers, outhaulers and so on.”

These gems are available in 1 to 15.0 SWL rating and have different bearings, depending on the model selected. It is probably also worth noting that there is a classic range also available that makes use of oiled teak ply side casings to give them a very distinct retro feel.

Non-Moving Part (NMP) blocks get seen in use on/for runners, jibsheeting, reefing, backstays or vangs. They range from 1.0 to 12.0 T max WL and are made of hard anodised aluminium, specially treated for low friction and excellent surface protection. This ensures they keep TyeTec’s product differentiation of low weight and high workload very much to the fore.

There is also a mainsail reef version (S), which has an additional slot for attachment to the sail. The ‘D’ or deck version mounts on the deck, in the mast, or on a track/slide. A 316 screw through the central hole fixes the block, and two smaller screws on the outer radius prevent the rope from jumping off. Accordingly, these blocks can also be used as a deflector.

The UV resistant soft padeyes are a great alternative to the traditional, hard 316 varieties. They do not hurt you if you stub one or burn if you touch it with bare skin. They are also just one quarter of the weight, but have the equivalent working load. They can be used in conjunction with either diamond loops, or in case of higher loads, continuous Dyneema® loops. The plastic washers supplied with them allow you to match your deck thickness.

A light version is also available, as well as a mast version, which are supremely matched for use with backstays, temporary jib stays/baby stays, downhauls or sheet attachments. You can also have a spring conversion kit.

It is not hard to find racing or cruising applications for TyeTec’s terrific soft or loop running rigging products. So have a look at all the TyeTec® products for yourself by visiting www.wichard.com.au Alternatively contact your sail maker, rigger or retailer to explore the possibilities that smart design, easy of use, durability and light weight can make to your running rigging…