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The IMOCA class has long been at the forefront of technological development in deck gear and rigging systems. Many of the performance products we promote at Upffront.com have originated in the French offshore racing classes before filtering down to the wider cruiser / racer communities. 

We chatted to Oliver Heer Ocean Racing after completing the Route Du Rhum and delivering his IMOCA back across the Atlantic to France. Ollie talks about his campaign and planned hardware upgrades for the winter including the importance of a good autopilot, the benefits of continuous line furling, constrictor clutches and more. 

Sailboats and ropes go hand in hand, from only a handful of control lines and halyards on smaller vessels to a whole array on larger racing yachts. However, all these lines would be of little use if we couldn’t secure them properly to hold the loads. Whilst on a dinghy you may get away with controlling the sheets by hand, but on bigger boats, this would be an impossible task.

© Antal

There are many different styles of deck organiser available on the market, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. In this blog post, we'll look at three general categories: friction fairleads, sheave organisers and winch feeders, and how they can help improve your sailing experience.

© Antal

What is the pit?

The pit is the nerve centre of a yacht, or at least all aspects that relate to sailing. The majority of lines on deck lead to the pit, including halyards, reef lines, tack lines, vang, outhaul and Cunningham to name some of the most common.

Italian manufacturer Antal produce a lot of cool products that we find are hugely popular on Upffront.com. From their blocks to their winches, Antal products seem to strike the perfect balance between cost, quality and innovation.

Credit: Antal

Deck organisers are a key piece of sailing hardware, designed to lead / divert lines across the deck and they come in many shapes and sizes. In this blog we look at the options available and what factors might guide your product choice.