Barton Marine

Barton Marine: British Sailing Hardware Since 1948

Barton Marine is a British maker of sailing deck hardware with a heritage stretching back to 1948. The company was founded by Ron Barton in Whitstable, Kent, a town known for its shipwright tradition. Barton was among the first to build yacht blocks from Tufnol, a fabric-based laminated plastic, together with stainless steel, producing fittings that were far lighter and stronger than the wooden and bronze blocks that came before. Today the company, still based in Southeast England, produces a catalogue of well over 2,000 products for everything from small racing dinghies to cruising yachts.

Blocks Built for Load and Low Friction

Blocks remain the heart of the Barton story. The range covers composite, stainless steel, aluminium and Tufnol options, in both plain and ball bearing versions. A landmark moment came in 1995 with the introduction of the size 1-4 ball bearing blocks, which use two rows of balls around a large-diameter acetal centre boss to spread load and keep friction low. Sailors comparing Barton Marine blocks will find single, fixed-eye, cheek, lead and ratchet styles sized for everything from control lines to mainsheets.

Cleats, Track and Sail Control

Line handling is where small details make a big difference on the water. Barton's cam cleats and sliding cleats are designed to hold control lines securely while releasing cleanly, and the sliding versions fit standard T-track. You can browse Barton Marine cleats for dinghy and keelboat applications alike.

The wider Barton Marine sailing parts and accessories selection includes genoa cars, T-track end fittings, winch handles and the well-regarded Windicator wind indicators. Towable genoa cars carry an integrated tow eye or sheave so the car position can be adjusted from the cockpit, and they are offered to suit 20, 25 and 32mm T-track. The Windicator, designed and made in New Zealand, is a long-standing favourite among racing sailors for reading wind direction.

Pad Eyes and Attachment Points

Every rig needs dependable anchor points for blocks, lines and fairleads. Barton Marine eye straps and pad eyes are made from stainless steel, with fixed and folding designs. The folding pad eye uses an anti-vibration rubber pad and lies flat against the deck when not in use, keeping lines and feet clear.

What to Consider When Choosing Barton Hardware

• Boat size and loads: match block sheave size and working load to the line diameter and expected loads on your boat.
• Track compatibility: confirm whether your genoa track is 20, 25 or 32mm before choosing cars and end fittings.
• Bearing type: plain bearings suit lighter loads, while ball bearing blocks reduce friction on higher-load applications.
• Material: anodised aluminium, stainless steel and Tufnol each suit different uses, from weight-sensitive racing to rugged cruising.

With nearly eight decades of manufacturing experience, Barton Marine remains a practical choice for sailors upgrading or replacing deck hardware.