Abstract: A snatch block which may be opened to receive a line has a sheave assembly and a pair of sideplates on the sides of the sheave assembly, as well as a head connecting the sideplates. One of the sideplates and sheave is hinged from the head and can pivot toward and away from the other sideplate. A spring loaded plunger is carried by the sheave and engages an aperture in the other sideplate to lock the assembly. The plunger is pushed by a lever in the other direction to open the block.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing battens mounted on a sail and for adjusting the tension of the battens is disclosed, the apparatus having track slide members which are slidably connected for movement along a mast, a fitting device is used to connect the sail to respective track slide members and to secure a respective batten in a predetermined position on the sail so that a portion of the device is fixed in the lateral direction with respect to a respective track slide member when the sail is forced toward the mast, and the same portion of the fitting device is free to move in all directions with respect to the respective track slide member when the sail is forced away from the mast. Additionally, the battens are mounted and secured along the sail so that the tension can be simply and effectively adjusted.