25.5 Mast Work
Dan, I find that replacing halyards and wiring on the mast is much easier when it is on the ground. The masthead can be removed and a stiff wire can be used to fish additional lines through. I don't know of anyway to insure they do not cross and therefore chafe. I tensioned the existing halyards as much as I could, to hold them off to the side, when I ran new wires and halyard and have had no problems. An additional deck organizer will have to be installed on the port side to run the new halyard aft. Just drill and tap for the 1/4 20 screws and bed well. No need to cut a hole in the headliner and place locking nuts underneath, as the factory didn't on the other side. (I found out when I was replacing sheaves and they didn't seem to want to come. Just very good bedding and slightly bent screws!) If you do decide to attempt to do it with the mast up, a bell sinker attach to fishing line can be lowered and possibly fished out the exit block at the base. If you suceed in that, tie on a heavier messenger line and pull that thru. SEW that to you new halyard, so it will pass thru and retrieve. Good luck.
