Quick to install, freely rotating and built for demanding sailing applications – a premium Wichard snatch block for ropes up to 12mm.

The Wichard #34500 Snatch Block is designed to make line management on board faster and easier.

Unlike a conventional closed block, a snatch block can be opened so that you can introduce a rope that is already reeved, without having to feed the entire rope through the block from one end. Wichard highlights this as one of the main advantages of its snatch-block range, particularly when mounting the block to a pad eye or toe rail.

The #34500 combines this practical opening design with an integrated snap shackle, free rotation, a very strong closing system and a maximum rope diameter of 12mm.

Why Choose a Snatch Block?

The main advantage of a snatch block is simple:

You can introduce an already-reeved rope into the block.

This makes it particularly useful when you need to temporarily or permanently redirect a loaded line or change its lead without completely re-running the rope.

For sailors, that means faster setup and greater flexibility when adapting deck layouts and sheet leads.

Wichard specifically lists the #34500 for:

• Changing sheets
• Spinnaker sheet deflector blocks

Integrated Snap Shackle – Free Rotation

The Wichard #34500 is equipped with an integrated:

Snap Shackle

One of its major advantages is that the snap shackle allows the block to rotate freely around its attachment point.

This gives the block freedom to orient itself according to the direction of the rope and attachment point.

For sailing applications where the angle of the sheet can change, this flexibility makes the block significantly more versatile than a rigidly mounted solution.

Snatch Block + Snap Shackle + Free Rotation

means a more adaptable setup for changing sailing conditions.

Easy Opening with Central Plunger Pin

Despite its strong closing mechanism, opening the block is straightforward.

Wichard’s design allows it to be opened simply by:

Pulling the Central Plunger Pin

The principle is similar to operating a conventional snap shackle.

This means the block can be opened quickly when you need to insert or remove the rope.

It is an important advantage when making adjustments on deck and you don’t want to waste time dismantling hardware or completely unreeving a line.

Very Strong Closing System

Ease of opening does not mean compromising strength.

Wichard specifically highlights the #34500’s:

Very Strong Closing System

The arm is manufactured from forged HR 17-4 PH stainless steel, providing the high mechanical strength required for a block designed to handle substantial sailing loads.

This makes the block a serious piece of sailing hardware rather than simply a convenient line-routing accessory.

Shock & Scratch-Resistant Elastomer Cheeks

Deck hardware inevitably gets knocked, moved and handled during sailing.

For this reason, Wichard equips the #34500 with:

Elastomer-Moulded Cheeks

These cheeks help make the block resistant to shocks and scratches.

This design is especially useful when the block is used around the deck, toe rail or other surfaces where contact with the yacht is possible.

It also gives the block a more deck-friendly exterior than exposed hard metal side plates.

Composite Sheave

Inside the block, Wichard uses a:

Composite Sheave

The composite sheave works with ropes up to 12mm diameter and forms part of a design that combines strong metallic structural components with lightweight, purpose-designed materials.

The complete material combination is:

Forged HR 17-4 PH stainless steel arm + elastomer-moulded cheeks + composite sheave.

Maximum Rope Diameter – 12mm

The Wichard #34500 is designed for:

Rope up to 12mm Diameter

This is an important specification when selecting the block.

The rope used with the block should not exceed the manufacturer’s specified maximum diameter of 12mm.

Working Load – 720kg

The #34500 provides a manufacturer-specified:

Working Load: 720kg

Wichard states that this Working Load applies to nautical applications.

This gives the block substantial load capability while maintaining manageable dimensions and a weight of only 254g.

Breaking Load – 1,300kg

The manufacturer specifies:

Breaking Load: 1,300kg

The Breaking Load should not be confused with the normal Working Load.

For equipment selection and normal nautical use, the relevant manufacturer figure is the:

720kg Working Load

The complete system should always be selected according to the actual loads, line angles, attachment points and specifications of all connected hardware.

Technical Specifications

The specifications above are published by Wichard for part #34500.

Designed for Changing Sheets

One of Wichard’s specified applications for the #34500 is:

Changing Sheets

The opening design is especially useful here because the block can accept a rope that has already been rigged.

Instead of completely removing and re-running a sheet, the block can be opened, positioned around the rope and then secured in the required location.

This can make changes to the sheet lead significantly more practical.

Ideal as a Spinnaker Sheet Deflector Block

Wichard also specifically recommends the #34500 for use as a:

Spinnaker Sheet Deflector Block

A snatch block can be particularly useful for changing the lead angle of a spinnaker sheet.

Because the #34500 incorporates a snap shackle and can rotate freely, it offers a flexible solution for temporary or adjustable sheet-routing configurations.

Attach It to a Pad Eye or Toe Rail

Wichard notes that its snatch blocks can be fitted to a pad eye or toe rail and are particularly useful for taking up a rope that is already reeved.

This gives sailors flexibility to position the block where it is needed and redirect a line without redesigning the entire deck layout.

The actual attachment point must, of course, have a suitable load rating for the intended application.

Compact Performance

The #34500 combines substantial load capacity with relatively compact dimensions:

145mm Length

59mm Width

43mm Thickness

254g Weight

while delivering:

720kg Working Load

1,300kg Breaking Load

This balance of strength, size and weight makes it a versatile choice for sailing yachts where deck hardware needs to be both strong and practical.

Why Choose the Wichard #34500 Snatch Block?

• Premium Wichard marine hardware
• Designed for ropes up to 12mm
• Opening snatch block design
• Can take up a rope that is already reeved
• Integrated snap shackle
• Free rotation thanks to the snap shackle
• Very strong closing system
• Easy opening via central plunger pin
• Forged HR 17-4 PH stainless steel arm
• Composite sheave
• Elastomer-moulded cheeks
• Resistant to shocks and scratches
• 720kg Working Load for nautical applications
• 1,300kg Breaking Load
• Weight only 254g
• Ideal for changing sheets
• Suitable as a spinnaker sheet deflector block
• Suitable for attachment to compatible pad eyes or toe rails
• Made in France

Why Is the Opening Design So Useful?

With a conventional closed block, you generally need access to the end of the rope to reeve it through the block.

A snatch block changes that.

The opening body allows you to position the block around an already-rigged rope, making it much easier to introduce a new deflection point or modify the rope’s route. Wichard specifically identifies this ability to take up an already-reeved rope as a key benefit of its snatch blocks.

For practical sailing, this translates into:

Less re-rigging + faster adjustments + more flexible sheet routing.

Working Load vs Breaking Load

For the Wichard #34500:

Working Load: 720kg
Breaking Load: 1,300kg

Wichard specifies the Working Load for nautical applications.

The Breaking Load represents the manufacturer’s specified failure load and should not be treated as the normal permissible operating load.

Always select the block and its attachment point according to the Working Load, actual loads, rope diameter, line angles and requirements of the complete system.

A Practical Upgrade for Sheet Management

The Wichard Snatch Block with Snap Shackle #34500 is designed for sailors who need flexibility without compromising on strength.

Its opening design allows you to capture an already-reeved rope, while the integrated snap shackle provides easy attachment and free rotation. The central plunger pin makes opening straightforward, and the elastomer cheeks help protect the block against shocks and scratches.

With a maximum rope diameter of 12mm, a 720kg nautical Working Load and 1,300kg Breaking Load, it is particularly well suited to sheet changes and spinnaker sheet deflection.

Choose the Wichard #34500 Snatch Block from Cavo Yachting when you need a strong, easily repositioned and practical opening block for sailing lines up to 12mm.

Key Specifications at a Glance