Adding turning blocks at mast base

[fred1diver]

Hello all, I am thinking of adding a turning block at the base of my mast to lead the main halyard back to cockpit.
My question is can I simply add a block on a saddle mount on the side of the mast? Or maybe a spring loaded one on the roof? Or add a block where my boom kicker is affixed at the back of the mast?
My halyard is long enough to reach, next will be what type of cleat to hold the halyard?
I did see a rope clutch at a good price for sale near me, just not sure it is the right size yet

 

[shemandr]

I think I'd put it on the Starboard side of the mast near the base. If it's too high on the mast the lead to a turning block, winch or cleat won't be fair and the line will chafe and be hard to manipulate.
Is your main halyard internal or external?

 

[fred1diver]

My halyards are external, the main is on the starboard side as it should be, I was looking near the base as you suggested, just not sure if I should fasten the block to the cabin roof or the side of the mast at the moment.
I will be at the boat tomorrow and have a good look as to where I could mount it.
I will look through my pictures and see if I have a good picture of the base of the mast and the surroundings.

 

[fred1diver]

Ok the only picture I have is from the back of the mast, you kind of see the starboard side, all other pictures o have are from the dock which is port side

 

[dlochner]

There will be a lot of vertical force on the block, so it would be best to mount it on the mast. Use a single block attached to the mast with an appropriately sized eye strap. You will also need a turning block on the deck to direct the halyard around the spray hood and back to the cockpit.

Size the clutch to the diameter of the halyard.

 

[shemandr]

It looks simple but can be a bit involved. It would be a benefit to lay out the path of the line led aft or even mock it up. You may need shim blocks to get the angles right. Riggers get good money to provide these solutions. You will have a vertical to horizontal transition, two or more horizontal transitions with vertical components. Luckily the cabin top seems pretty flat but on other boats there could be a camber to the cabin top which complicates the process.

 

[fred1diver]

I did look at the Garhauer site today for plates, with my type of mast step, there are not many options, but I did find what I think would be good.
Maybe one on either side, not sure if needed but a possibility.
The price is good, not sure on shipping cost though, but easy to install as well

 

[pgandw]

My halyards are external, the main is on the starboard side as it should be...."

I'm asking because I don't know. Why should the external main halyard be on the starboard side? Is there a rule or practice I don't know about?

In my case, main halyard goes over a single mast top block, and being a 3/4 rig, jib halyard also is on front of mast (both parts). PO rigged jib halyard to starboard, and main halyard to port. I have left them that way, and also lead the jib downhaul to starboard. I could reverse the main and jib halyards without any trouble, but see no reason to. I'm comfortable with where they are now.

With the current setup, I normally heave to on starboard tack. This leaves the boom hanging off the port quarter when I'm hoisting/lowering/reefing the main. Motor is on starboard quarter, so this leaves starboard side of cockpit clear for me to move about in with quick access to the motor controls.

IIRC, my ODay 25 had the main halyard winch on the port side, and being a masthead rig, had 2 mast top blocks for the 2 external halyards. Selling dealer had rigged it that way.

Fred W
Stuart Mariner 19 Sweet P

 

[shemandr]

Starboard Main halyard is traditional. Not a rule. But if you’re sailing in a fleet where crew change race by race or guest crew for cruising the convention throughout the fleet makes it easier for crew.
There’s a saying around here “Your boat, your choice” or something like that.

 

[pgandw]

Starboard Main halyard is traditional. Not a rule. But if you’re sailing in a fleet where crew change race by race or guest crew for cruising the convention throughout the fleet makes it easier for crew.
There’s a saying around here “Your boat, your choice” or something like that.

Thank you.

Fred W

 

[dlochner]

In a race the boat approaches the windward/jibe mark on a starboard tack. At the mark the boat jibes and raises the spinnaker and douses the jib. At this point the main sail is on the starboard side leaving the port side of the mast with plenty of room for the foredeck and mast crew to raise and lower the sail, thus the jib and spin halyards are on the port side. The main halyard isn't touched during the race, so it can be on the starboard side.

 

[jssailem]

This is what I would do to address the issue. The turning block at the mast (#1) could be attached to a base collar or standing on the deck. Issue is to turn the line to match the angle of the on deck block (#2) with as little friction as possible.

Purple line is your Halyard.

The #2 turning block is a standard organizer block. It changes the halyard direction to your cockpit where you add the clutch you mentioned. Only issue is you have lines running on the deck that can present a tripping hazard. It is the compromise to going to the mast to make sail adjustments.

 

[dlochner]

I did look at the Garhauer site today for plates, with my type of mast step, there are not many options, but I did find what I think would be good.
Maybe one on either side, not sure if needed but a possibility.
The price is good, not sure on shipping cost though, but easy to install as well

If you use anything that is mounted to the deck, it will be necessary to through bolt the mast plate or eye strap because there will be a lot of vertical force on the plate or strap.