Sailing Parts & Accessories

The Right Sailing Hardware Makes Every Passage Better

Whether you're racing around the buoys, cruising offshore, or sailing a dinghy on the weekends, the parts and accessories on your boat have a direct impact on performance, safety, and ease of handling. Sailing parts and accessories cover a broad spectrum of components — from blocks and traveler systems that govern sail trim, to cleats, shackles, and fairleads that manage line loads, to wind vanes and sailing instruments that keep you informed of conditions at the masthead. Choosing quality hardware isn't just about performance: properly rated, corrosion-resistant components can be the difference between a controlled jibe and an emergency at sea.

What to Consider When Shopping Sailing Hardware

The right hardware begins with understanding your boat's rigging loads and line diameters. A block or cleat rated for a pocket cruiser won't hold up under the sheet loads of a larger keelboat, and oversized hardware adds unnecessary weight to a dinghy. Key considerations include:

• Material – Marine-grade stainless steel, anodized aluminum, and engineered polymers like Delrin or Tufnol each offer different trade-offs in weight, strength, and corrosion resistance.
• Bearing type – Roller-bearing and ball-bearing blocks dramatically reduce friction compared to plain-bearing designs, especially under high loads or when lines run at awkward angles.
• Load ratings – Always match hardware to the working load of the application; check manufacturer specs for both safe working load (SWL) and breaking strength.
• Compatibility – Traveler tracks, genoa cars, and cleat systems are often brand-specific, so confirm fitment with your existing deck hardware before ordering.

Top Brands in Sailing Parts & Accessories

Ronstan is one of the most trusted names in sailboat hardware worldwide. With over 69 years of experience producing high-quality marine equipment, Ronstan offers an extensive catalog spanning everything from dinghy fittings to superyacht systems. Their product lineup — including the acclaimed Orbit Block™ series, Triggersnaps™ snap shackles, and carbon fiber cam cleats — reflects the brand's commitment to innovation and real-world testing. Ronstan products are regularly seen at the highest levels of competition, including the America's Cup and the Olympics.

Barton Marine has been engineering sailing hardware since 1948, when founder Ron Barton pioneered the use of Tufnol (a laminated plastic fabric) and stainless steel in yachting blocks — producing lighter, stronger components than had previously been available. Today, Barton Marine has become a global leader in high-quality, well-engineered, modern sailing hardware and accessories, offering a full range of blocks, track systems, traveler cars, cam cleats, clutches, and boomstruts. Their hardware is used by sailors ranging from club racers to offshore competitors.

Davis Instruments brings a different dimension to sailing accessories, specializing in practical on-deck tools and instruments. Davis Instruments, established in 1963, is a recognized leader in developing and manufacturing precision weather, marine, and outdoor instrumentation. Their WindTrak™ and Windex™ wind vane systems are widely regarded as the standard for masthead wind indication, and their line of sailing accessories — including chafe guards, line snubbers, rigging knives, and tiller tamers — helps sailors handle the everyday demands of life aboard.