Sheaves at top of mast

Oct 29, 2005
2,366
Hunter Marine 326 303 Singapore
I've a Selden mast and I suspect the Mains sheave is damaged. I could feel the uneveness when I played the halyard. Would it be reasonably possible to replace the sheaves without dropping the mast? I don't remember how the sheaves are secured up there.
 
Jan 25, 2011
2,439
S2 11.0A Anacortes, WA
Look at it with some binoculars. Probably a cotter and pin that goes through the center
 
Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
Probably a pin that has a knurled end that bites into the mast to hold it in. You'd drive it out from the opposite end.
 
Oct 29, 2005
2,366
Hunter Marine 326 303 Singapore
Joker thanks for the link. Sounds too easy to remove without need to unstep mast. Also my mast head don't look same.
I'll take a look at mast head again in 2 weeks time during haulout.

Ron, I'll check on that as well. Thanks.

Cheers!
 
Sep 8, 2014
2,551
Catalina 22 Swing Keel San Diego
Changing out a masthead sheave isn't a super complicated task, but doing it while working aloft becomes complicated quickly. If you can't locate a drawing of your masthead arrangement just go aloft with a camera (camera/phone) and take a few pictures. Also inspect to see if there is any galv corrosion between the stainless pin and the aluminum.
Once you know what you are dealing with you can buy the correct sheaves (I'd go ahead and replace them all). Take aloft only the tools you will need, attach lanyards from the tools to your tool belt for safety. Plan ahead every step carefully! The most important thing is that you don't want to drop any of the parts. Remember to apply some tef-gel to the stainless pins, I would do that on deck and then put the pins in a plastic bag before going aloft.