Why Choose Low-Friction Rings?

An Innovative Solution for Your Traditional Sailing Gear

In recent years, a significant revolution has taken place in sailing equipment, thanks to ANTAL, an Italian brand that pioneered the design and manufacturing of low-friction rings. These rings have quickly gained traction on the world’s most high-performance racing sailboats—from IMOCAs to ULTIMES, CLASS 40s, minis, and even dinghies. The widespread adoption of ANTAL's low-friction rings, now available from all major marine equipment brands, has transformed deck and rigging maneuvers. They’ve become the most versatile, lightweight, reliable, and durable accessory on the market—all at a very affordable price.

- An Outstanding Weight-to-Working Load Ratio

The main advantage of low-friction rings is, of course, their significantly lower weight compared to traditional blocks, while still maintaining an equivalent working load. For instance, a single 60mm Antal OPF block with a working load of 800 kg weighs 160 grams, whereas an ANTAL R10.07 low-friction ring rated for the same load weighs only 5 grams. However, it's important to note that the greater the angle of the line passing through the ring, the more the working load decreases. For example, with a 180-degree line angle, the working load is reduced by approximately 45%.

– A Versatile Ring for Trimming, Redirecting, and Load Management

Low-friction rings offer remarkable versatility for a wide range of maneuvers, whether on deck or for rigging adjustments.

Here are a few examples of how low-friction rings can be used:

- Reefing line adjustments
- Redirecting jib sheet leads
- Cascaded setups to manage rigging loads
- Barber hauler adjustments
"- Deadeye"-style tensioners
- Lazy jacks
- 3D genoa trimming systems
And many more…

Low-friction rings are incredibly useful for replacing many components of your boat’s equipment, especially in situations where the maneuver involves low speed, minimal movement, and a small deflection angle.

– Simple, Efficient, Reliable, Durable, and Smooth-Sliding Equipment...

Thanks to their ultra-simple design, low-friction rings offer greater reliability compared to mechanical blocks. However, not all rings are created equal—the quality of the anodization is key. ANTAL, a pioneer in this field, leads the way with its polished hard black anodization, which ensures both durability and minimal friction. High-quality anodizing helps your lines run smoothly and reduces wear. For optimal performance, it's best to use highly slippery lines such as Dyneema® or Spectra®, and avoid lines with high-friction covers.

In conclusion, low-friction rings can be used for a wide variety of onboard maneuvers—and all at a very affordable price. Check out the rings from our three featured brands (ANTAL – ALLEN – TYLASKA – CLAMCLEAT) and explore their unique characteristics below.