On larger yachts, deck deflectors sometimes have to withstand enormous loads. Depending on the angle at which the line is deflected, this can be between 50 and 76 per cent of the halyard tension, so it is not always easy to find the right product. Unfortunately, the situation is no better for smaller sports boats and keelboats. Working and breaking loads are less of a problem there; rather, most suppliers simply lack a suitably dimensioned fitting in their programme. The usual roller size is 40 millimetres or more, which would ensure smooth running on an eight-metre boat, but would also look bulky.
Deck deflectors for small yachts
The new organisers from Allen, which are available with disc diameters of 20 to 40 millimetres, are much more elegant. The housings are made of black anodised aluminium. According to the manufacturer, this also allows the organisers to be stacked. This means that a maximum of six lines per side can be deflected. The discs are made of plastic and have the Allen-typical ball bearing system with stainless steel running surfaces. This prevents the balls from pressing into the pulley even under high loads and minimises friction. The smallest version can withstand a working load of 500 kilograms and costs 74 euros. The 40-millimetre model is designed to withstand 700 kilograms and is sold via Lindemann.
Mini series from Pfeiffer-Marine
The deck diverters of the Mini series from Pfeiffer are designed for rope diameters of up to eight millimetres and can be ordered with two levels ex works. The working load of the plastic rollers with plain bearings is 130 kilograms per disc. The diameter of the rollers is 25 millimetres and the housings are made from one-piece aluminium profiles. Prices start at 74 euros.
Produced for larger boats Pfeiffer both sliding and Ball bearing mounted organiser. The castors of the ball-bearing models are made of aluminium and are designed to withstand loads of up to 250 kilograms; they are available from 107 euros. The plain bearing versions are available with aluminium or plastic discs, from 44 euros.
Guide eyes from Antal, Kohlhoff, Nodus and Tyetec
Simple aluminium guide eyes are a good choice for stripped Dyneema, but they also work with smooth sheath material. The big advantage of this is that they are practically maintenance-free with no moving parts, and they can also withstand enormous working loads. Thanks to their compact design, the guide eye deflectors do not look oversized even on smaller boats, which is why they are used on the Bente 24, for example. The Loop series from Kohlhoff and the modular models from Tyetec. They are made up of end and centre pieces and can even be extended at a later date if required. The basic set with two eyes shaped as end pieces costs 57 euros at Kohlhoff, with each additional centre piece costing 36 euros. At Tyetec, the basic unit with one diffuser costs 71 euros, and 54 euros for each additional diffuser. A special feature of the Tyetec eyes is that they can also be mounted on curved decks.
A similar system has Carver in the programme. The French even use deflection discs with plain bearings in the KSO8 series. In addition, the individual segments can also be mounted in curves via a toothing and stacked to form double-decker deflection pulleys. A set of two pulleys costs around 76 euros, and each pulley is said to be able to bear a load of 850 kilograms.
Again without rollers or moving parts, the guide lugs from Antal However, they cannot be extended and must be ordered with the appropriate number of holes. The triple version costs 82 euros and is designed for loads of up to 800 kilograms per hole or 1,500 kilograms in total, a maximum of seven guide eyes are possible and the largest rope diameter is 12 millimetres.
Similar fittings also offer Nodus, Tyetec and Ronstan on. Tyetec's fairleads are available for lines with a diameter of 12 or 16 millimetres and different fastening solutions. The fittings can be screwed on either from above or concealed from below. Ronstan's fairleads from the Ropeglide series stand out due to their oval passages, which should make them work better if not all lines running through the fitting have the same deflection angle. They are available with up to three passages for ropes up to 12 millimetres. The three-passage version costs 122 euros.
The latest addition to the pulley-free deflector range is the Bolt-Down series from Nodus from France. The fittings are available from one hole upwards with up to six plastic or anodised aluminium bushings. The small holes are intended for the release lines of a constrictor clamp. Price from 28 to 165 euros.
Much more elaborate and clearly intended for large yachts are the Tulip called deflectors from Antal. A special feature is the strongly waisted discs, which can also compensate for oblique lead-in angles. Two sizes are available with 45 and 60 mm discs. The working loads are between 1,200 and 6,600 kilograms. To cope with such high loads, the Italians rely on a combination of plain and ball bearings. Prices start at 192 euros for a three disc version.
Flexible deck deflectors from Spinlock
The British have a whole range of organisers in their programme. The T25 models with 25 mm discs are specially designed for smaller boats. The special feature: they are flexible and can also be mounted on slightly curved decks. For double-decker extensions Spinlock also offers matching guide eyes from the BE series, creating a compact and favourable combination. The organisers can deflect lines up to 10 millimetres. The maximum working load is 400 kilograms. A triple version costs around 50 euros, three additional BE series guide eyes are available for 13 euros. For larger yachts, similar versions with 38 and 50 millimetre pulley diameters are available. Those who have to cope with particularly high loads can opt for the TSR series. Here, you have to decide how many pulleys you want to have. Several diameters and heights are available. As the rollers can be moved within the organiser, any spacing is possible.
Deck deflectors for larger yachts
Harkens Small-Boat range starts with ball-bearing versions with 38 mm discs and aluminium housing. They have a working load of 136 kilograms and can also be used in double-decker versions. Prices start at 112 euros for a two-disc version. The composite organisers made of glass fibre-reinforced polyamide with plain bearings are cheaper. The two-disc version costs just 50 euros and is designed to withstand a working load of 700 kilograms. This means that the organisers are also suitable for larger boats. Although the various models from the Big Boat programme are actually intended for this.
Also more suitable for yachts over 35 feet are the products from Lewmar designed. The English company offers a choice between the Syncro series and the Ocean organisers. Both have 60-millimetre discs, whereby the Ocean models have plain bearings and the Syncros have a combination of plain and ball bearings. The working loads are around 2,400 kilograms.
Barton is entering the race with guide rods on plain bearings. With a disc diameter of 32 millimetres, the smaller versions are also suitable for yachts under 30 feet. Prices start at 50 euros for a double version. The English company does not specify working loads.
Small is also Ronstan relative, the smallest version has a disc diameter of 40 millimetres and should be suitable as a halyard swivel for yachts up to 36 feet. Solid aluminium housings and plastic pulleys with plain bearings ensure working loads of up to 500 kilograms. Models with 60 mm discs are available for larger vessels. All versions are stackable and are available with two, three or four discs. Prices: from 76 euros.
With 40 mm discs and a working load of 800 kilograms, the deck deflectors from Rutgerson suitable for yachts from nine to eleven metres. They have an aluminium housing and can be installed on two levels. The castors are made of plastic and have plain bearings. A set of two costs 89 euros. For larger yachts, the Swedes offer the ROC series with aluminium discs and heavy-duty plain bearings with Kevlar bushes. This should enable working loads of up to 2,500 kilograms. Prices start at 234 euros.
Seldén like Spinlock, relies on single-sided housings, which means that the pulleys can also be mounted on slightly curved decks. Plastic ball bearings should ensure that the discs run smoothly. There are two sizes with 40 or 50 mm pulleys. The working loads are specified as 700 and 1,000 kilograms respectively. Prices start at 65 euros.
