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.