Extremely light. Impressively strong. A simple and efficient way to manage high-load lines without the weight and complexity of a conventional block.

The Wichard FRX Friction Ring is designed for sailors looking for a simple, lightweight and highly reliable solution for redirecting loaded lines.

Unlike a conventional pulley block, the FRX uses no sheave, bearings or moving mechanical components. Instead, the rope runs over the smooth, rounded surface of the hard-anodized aluminium ring.

The result is an exceptionally simple piece of sailing hardware with very low weight and impressive Working Loads.

Wichard recommends FRX rings for heavy loads and semi-static lines, making them particularly useful for modern performance-oriented rigging.

For Cavo Yachting, the product is available in four sizes:

FRX10 – #21008
FRX15 – #21510
FRX20 – #22014
FRX25 – #22517

High Strength Without the Weight

One of the biggest advantages of the Wichard FRX range is its excellent strength-to-weight ratio.

The four available models weigh between just 5g and 57g, yet provide Working Loads ranging from 800kg to an impressive 5,000kg.

For example:

FRX10 – 5g / 800kg Working Load

FRX20 – 31g / 3,200kg Working Load

FRX25 – 57g / 5,000kg Working Load

This makes FRX rings especially attractive when reducing weight in the rigging is important without compromising the required load capacity.

Hard-Anodized Aluminium – 50 Microns

The FRX is manufactured from anodized aluminium and receives a 50-micron hard-anodized treatment.

Wichard specifically uses this hard anodization to increase the ring’s lifespan. The smooth surface is engineered to help lines run efficiently while minimising rope wear.

This combination provides:

• Very low weight
• High mechanical strength
• Smooth rope contact
• Reduced rope wear
• Increased service life
• No bearings or moving parts to maintain

Designed for High Loads & Semi-Static Lines

FRX rings are particularly suitable for applications involving:

Heavy loads and relatively low rope movement

This is an important distinction from a conventional ball-bearing block.

A friction ring does create friction as the rope passes through it, so its strength is in applications where simplicity, low weight and high load capacity are more important than ultra-low friction under continuous high-speed line movement.

Wichard positions its friction-block range for applications involving heavy loads or low traffic, such as backstays, barber-haulers and mast-foot arrangements.

Suitable for Dyneema® & Other Ropes

Modern performance sailing increasingly uses high-strength synthetic ropes, and the FRX range is designed with this in mind.

Wichard states that FRX friction rings are suitable for all types of rope, including Dyneema®.

The smooth, rounded geometry and hard-anodized surface allow the line to run through the ring while minimising unnecessary wear.

Multiple Sailing Applications

One of the strongest advantages of the Wichard FRX is its versatility.

Wichard lists applications including:

• Mast-foot block
• Barber-hauler
• Inhauler
• Loop
• Thimble
• Lazy jack
• Running backstay
• Tackle
• Other compatible low-movement/high-load rigging systems

A single simple component can therefore be integrated into many different areas of a sailing yacht’s rigging.

Four Available Sizes

The specifications above are Wichard’s current published figures for the FRX range.

Wichard FRX10 – #21008

The FRX10 is the smallest of the four Cavo Yachting variations.

Working Load: 800kg

Outer Diameter: 25mm

Weight: only 5g

At just 5 grams, the FRX10 still delivers an 800kg Working Load.

This makes it an excellent choice for smaller rigging applications where every gram matters but a strong, reliable rope guide is still required.

Wichard FRX15 – #21510

The FRX15 steps up significantly in load capacity while remaining exceptionally light.

Working Load: 1,600kg

Outer Diameter: 35mm

Weight: only 12g

With a Working Load of 1.6 tonnes at only 12 grams, the FRX15 offers an outstanding strength-to-weight ratio.

It is an excellent intermediate size for sailing applications requiring greater load capacity without adding unnecessary hardware weight.

Wichard FRX20 – #22014

The FRX20 provides serious load capacity while still weighing only a few grams more than many much smaller pieces of conventional hardware.

Working Load: 3,200kg

Outer Diameter: 47mm

Weight: 31g

At only 31 grams, it handles a Working Load of 3.2 tonnes. Wichard describes its FRX rings as efficient, light and reliable, with the strength required for heavy loads and semi-static lines.

Wichard FRX25 – #22517

The largest Cavo Yachting variation is the FRX25.

Working Load: 5,000kg

Outer Diameter: 60mm

Weight: only 57g

The numbers are particularly impressive: a 5-tonne Working Load from a friction ring weighing just 57 grams.

For demanding high-load applications where keeping rigging weight low remains a priority, the FRX25 provides the highest capacity of these four variations.

FRX10 vs FRX15 vs FRX20 vs FRX25

Choosing the correct FRX should be based on the dimensions of your rope arrangement, the required Working Load and the geometry of the complete rigging system.

Why Use a Friction Ring Instead of a Conventional Block?

The beauty of a friction ring is its simplicity.

There are no bearings, rollers or rotating sheaves. This means fewer components, extremely low weight and a compact installation.

For the right application, this provides several advantages:

Less weight + fewer moving components + high load capacity + compact dimensions

A conventional bearing block can still be the better choice where a line runs frequently and minimum friction is the priority. The FRX really shines in high-load, semi-static and low-traffic applications where simplicity and weight reduction are key advantages.

Why Choose the Wichard FRX Friction Ring?

• Premium Wichard sailing hardware
• Extremely lightweight construction
• High Working Loads
• Designed for heavy loads
• Ideal for semi-static / low-traffic lines
• Hard-anodized aluminium
• 50-micron hard anodization
• Smooth surface helps minimise rope wear
• Suitable for different rope types, including Dyneema®
• No bearings
• No moving mechanical parts
• Compact and simple rigging solution
• Suitable for mast-foot applications
• Ideal for barber-haulers and inhaulers
• Suitable for lazy jacks
• Suitable for running backstays
• Can be used in loops, tackles and thimble applications
• Four Cavo Yachting options: FRX10 / FRX15 / FRX20 / FRX25
• Working Loads from 800kg to 5,000kg
• Weight from only 5g to 57g
• Made in France

Technical Specifications – Variable Product

Important Usage Information

The FRX range is intended for suitable sailing and rigging applications, but Wichard’s technical notice specifically states that these friction rings are not for lifting applications and must not be used as PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).

The correct FRX size should always be selected according to the Working Load, line configuration, dimensions and requirements of the complete installation.

Maximum Strength, Minimum Hardware

The Wichard FRX Friction Ring is a perfect example of how simple sailing hardware can deliver impressive performance.

A single piece of hard-anodized aluminium replaces the complexity and weight of a conventional block in suitable semi-static applications. There are no bearings and no rotating sheave—just a carefully shaped, smooth surface designed to guide the line efficiently.

From the tiny 5g FRX10 with its 800kg Working Load to the 57g FRX25 capable of a 5,000kg Working Load, the range provides an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio.

Choose:

FRX10 #21008 – Working Load 800kg – Weight 5g
FRX15 #21510 – Working Load 1,600kg – Weight 12g
FRX20 #22014 – Working Load 3,200kg – Weight 31g
FRX25 #22517 – Working Load 5,000kg – Weight 57g

Choose the appropriate Wichard FRX Friction Ring from Cavo Yachting when you need a lightweight, strong and maintenance-friendly solution for high-load, semi-static sailing lines.

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