Wichard MXEvo 2:1/3:1 Blocks - Often imitated but tough to beat

Wichard’s expertise comes from over 100 years of forging safety parts for the manufacturing industry, so when it came to designing boat fittings, strength and safety have always been at the top of their priority list. This is evident in the Wichard MXEvo 2:1/3:1 Block range, but it is the simple, functional design that makes this piece of hardware stand out from the crowd.

Technically, the Wichard MXEvo is a friction sheave, with a smooth bearing surface around which a halyard or control line can pass through. The addition of an attachment point (becket), to act as a dead-end for the line, turns this from a 2:1 into a 3:1 purchase system, and makes it suitable for a large range of different applications.

Wichard MXEvo - block or shackle?

When this design first came onto the market it was commonly called the MX Shackle. An early application was to replace a standard / snap, shackle underneath a continuous line furling drum to provide a lightweight, reliable 2:1 purchase system to control luff tension in a code zero or asymmetric sail. Therefore, it was a logical “extension” of a shackle. However, sailors quickly started to realise that this simple, efficient design could also be used to replace the more bulky ball-bearing block on their furling swivel, for their 2:1 halyard. In their latest design iteration, Wichard have added a becket, which is a clear signal that the Wichard MXEvo has now officially evolved from a shackle to a block.

                                                                                                  MXEvo as a 2:1 Halyard Block on Profurl Swivel

The Wichard MXEvo has two pin types:

The Captive pin version should be used when the Wichard MXEvo needs to be regularly removed. For example: 2:1 halyards on mainsails, spinnakers or gennaker or on the bottom of a furling drum.

A more permanent solution, the flush mounted Allen head pin is suitable for mastfoot, or main outhaul, blocks and running backstays.

The Wichard MXLEvo

Building on the popularity and flexibility of the Wichard MXEvo, Wichard have created a soft attachment version called the MXLevo. They have blended a forged HR Stainless steel low friction bearing surface with an easy to open/close soft loop attachment system. This is ideal for mast foot blocks, 2:1 halyards, barber haulers and snatch block applications.

See how the Wichard MXEvo and MXLevo range compare with this attribute comparison guide

Summary on Wichard MXEvo blocks

In-line with the rapid acceptance of Friction sheaves and low friction rings, replacing traditional bearing blocks, and with a working load range from 700-2600Kg, the Wichard MXevo / MXLevo blocks can be utilised in a host of different applications

If you have any questions about the Wichard MXEvo and MXLevo blocks, then please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]. Otherwise, get more detailed information on the range by clicking the link below:

WICHARD MXEVO BLOCKS