Bronze Skene Chocks

[Tim]

Does anyone know of a source for solid bronze, unplated, Skene chocks? I can't find anything that isn't chrome plated. Doing a search on the manufacturer part number brings up two hits only: my own Glissando website and a dead link at Hamilton Marine (which I have already determined no longer carries these chocks).

Don't say Spartan: they don't have them either.

I'm looking for a pair of 4-6" bronze chocks, Skene only. If you know of somewhere that actually sells them, please let me know.

[Figment]

classicmarine.co.uk They call them "handed fairleads" over there. The currency exchange rate and shipping will be a killer, but the boat needs what the boat needs, right?

Failing that.... I know it's an hour of your life that you don't have to spare, but your next call should be Bristol Bronze. If he doesn't have them, he'll know who does.

For what it's worth, take heart in the fact that I've been trolling ebay for a decent used pair all winter and haven't found squat.

[Tim]

Thanks for the link. It says "gunmetal"; is that Brit for bronze?

I'll put SS or CPB chocks on before I ever call Bristol Bronze.

I'm further annoyed, since the chocks I have on Glissando (which I like) were both bent somewhat this spring, and I might have liked to replace them. I guess not.

I also find it really curious that Spartan Marine, which makes lovely bronze hardware, has NO bronze Skene chocks--they sell SS and CPB ones. What gives? Everything else in the catalog is available burnished or polished bronze. Weird.

[Figment]

Sounds like Spartan isn't casting their own stuff.

I'm starting to learn how to de-plate chromed bronze. The way things are going, it may be the only way to sustain my addiction. tain't easy though.

hehe... you'll need to call Roger to learn the specific difference between gunmetal bronze and other alloys. My metallurgy isn't that fresh in mind. As far as I know, gunmetal is an alloy inferior to silicon or tobin bronze, but only in that its more brittle (which makes it better for fine machine work, hence the "gun"metal). I think it has less copper and more tin, or something like that. In a relatively low-strain above-waterline application like chocks, it's perfectly suitable.

Your aversion to Roger seems to have a sharper edge than I'd remembered. What's up with that? Did the Cape Dory folks finally run him out of town on a rail?

[Figment]

well, speak of the devil.... you brought me luck, Tim.

ebay score in my inbox just now.

[Tim]

I won't go and bid against you! hehe

[dasein668]

It says "gunmetal"; is that Brit for bronze?

I know you'd rather ask Roger, but... Here's a little something.

Gunmetal Bronze Defined

[Figment]

Hey Tim,

Did you get those chocks from classic marine yet?
Are they cool or cheese?

My "ebay score" chocks are too fat to mount on the toerail (at least, until I wood-up my toerail like all the cool kids are doing these days) so I may need to bite the bullet and pay retail for some smaller units.

[David]

Tim,
Check out the current Hamilton catalog, page 126:

polished bronze skene chocks
6" Item# 103654 68.49 ea
8" Item# 103656 78.00 ea


David

[Tim]

Unfortunately, the current catalog seems to be full of items that they no longer stock, like most of the solid bronze stuff...

Rats.

[Marshall Wright]

http://www.classicmarine.co.uk/catypeli ... or=&PT_ID=

Great site. Called fairleads in England.

Marshall

[MikeD]

I think you already know about this one now: http://www.deepblueyachtsupply.com

Nice folks to deal with, very prompt, and reasonable. I got my mooring bit from them...

[Triton 185]

Hi Tim....I don't know if you have found any bronze skene chocks yet?

There are two place I know that carry them:

Buck Algonquin - These are rougher castings
Port Towsend Foundary - Smoother with square ends

Good luck and let me know if you find some polished ones because I am looking for a couple.