Binding halyards and furling lines

[jonelli]

Hi All,
I just bought my first "big" boat, the Catalina 30 mkII. Moved up from a Cal20!
Everything about it is wonderful, but I'm having a helluva time with the halyard and furling lines. They seem WAY too difficult to pull out.

The main - I've checked all the blocks and feeds, and everything appears to be free and move on its own, but when I use it from the cockpit, I can get the main about 1/4 way up and then it's too hard to pull from the cockpit. I can walk over to the mast and pull down on the halyard directly and it seems "normal" from there. It's not sticking in any one place, I think it's just too much friction over all, and I'm not sure what to do to make the most difference.

The double decker deck blocks all turn freely, but they do appear worn to me, meaning the wheels are wobbly, as if they've worn in their centers. The mast base block appears "normal".
Should I just go get some tri-flow and start spraying everything?

The jib furling line - goes through a lot of blocks too, and seems a bit tough to get out, but maybe lube also?

Where do you get replacement deck blocks?

Thanks all!

 

[Stu Jackson]

Your deck organizers might be Garhauer. Check to see. They make new sheaves with roller bearings, simple install.

Many folks can't raise the main from the cockpit. Your method works until you get new sheaves.

Blocks: Garhauer. Get to know these guys, they're great.

Jib furling: read the website of any furler manufacturer to get an idea of how important a straight run out from the drum really is. Inspect your system. Don't use the winch to furl unless you have a ProFurl, which allows it, but a good one shouldn't need it.

 

[Coriolisbc]

Use McLube on all the plastic going into the mast slot, on a calm day raise and lower the main several times
worked for me, had a similar problem on my 88, the main had not been up for 3 or 4 years before I bought it.

 

[Kingjim91]

I had problems with the lines when I bought my '82. Turns out most of the lines were oversize for the blocks, so too much friction when passing through multiple blocks. Supple new lines in the right sizes made all the difference.
Just another thought.

 

[Guts1236]

I had a real problem with my main sheet halyard And I fixed it with one of these.

http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm/product/36_413/masthead-sheave--ball-bearing-c-30.cfm

 

[jonelli]

Thanks guys, great suggestions.
Not sure how I'd check the masthead sheave myself, but what do you suppose came stock on an 87?
It also seems to me that the lines are all way too oversized. Why do people do that? The site here says 3/8, I haven't measured, but it seems bigger to me. I'll investigate and likely replace, that is relatively easy and inexpensive.
I'll also get McLube as you say, that too is inexpensive.

So, order of things:
McLube the slides.
Order new Halyard and deck organizer sheaves.
If I still have trouble, call my buddy to go up and replace the masthead sheave.

What do you think?
I refuse to accept "many can't raise from the cockpit". I am a determined lazy sailor. I've chartered boats in BVI, and I was easily capable with those to do everything from the cockpit. I barely had to put my beer down ever.

 

[mortyd]

if you replace your masthead sheave, go with garhauer, don't waste your time with inferior stuff. and a ball bearing sheave will make a difference.

 

[jrowan]

Lubricating all of your mast sheaves, block pulleys with McLube or Sailkoat or whatever lubricant you prefer is a good start. But you want to be careful not to let lubricant get on your deck, sails or running rigging, as it can & will stain the heck out of 'em.
I would also consider soaking & washing all of your older, hard halyards & lines to soften them with a good dose of Dawn dishwashing liquid, which can work wonders on softening old, hard lines. Just make sure you rinse it all off, as it can make the lines slippery if not removed fully. The only problem with washing your halyards is that it would require removing from the mast, which is quite a job to reinstall, using messenger lines, etc.

When my jib sheets were hard & worn, main sheet & boom vang, I went ahead & replaced them, as it makes sailing a lot more pleasant, & the boom can actually roll out from the traveler when the lines aren't hard as a rock. I still have the half steel cable, half rope main halyard, which I refuse to replace until it worn out! Cheers.

 

[Guts1236]

All of the sheaves in the masthead were frozen solid on mine. Had to remove them and scrape off the debris that was attached to the fiber sheaves. And replacing the mainsheet halyard sheave with a ball bearing type made all the difference in the world. Trying to even raise a climbing rig with the mainsheet halyard when it was frozen was almost impossible. Ended up using the spinnaker halyard to get the climbing rig to the top of the mast.

I don't think there's any need to go with all ball bearing halyards in the masthead. Just on the mainsheet halyard.

I also ordered an extra clevis pin, and it was a good thing because driving the old ones out was very difficult. And yes I lost one overboard, OOPs

Another thing to think about is while you're up there is the other things that are there such as masthead light, antennas, and any other gear you have up there. Also a good time to stop and check your steaming light, and if you have spreader lights.

Good luck

 

[mortyd]

if you have rigging that goes back to the cockpit, lots of friction has been added. if you don't have one, a masthead ball bearing sheave can make a huge difference. mine did. tell garhauer your problems; whatever, they've solved them many times before.

 

[jonelli]

Well, I've lubed it all up and inspected what I could, and my conclusion is that the biggest offender is the masthead sheave. When there is no weight, it seems to feel okay, but as soon as I have have the main pulled up it starts to bind up. Then adding the deck organizer which has a very worn sheave, it's impossible to pull up. So, I'm going to replace both sheaves.
The halyard is oversized, but in good shape. It seems to be 1/2".

My question is, regarding the deck organizer, I see no way to get to whatever is on the opposite side of the bolt holding it down to the deck. Is there something molded into the fiberglass? A threaded plate or nut? I don't want to damage anything. It's a Garhauer quad deck organizer just like this one:
http://skipmeisch.com/slowflight/upgrades/ss/images/Quad-Deck-Organizer.jpg

Can I just take the two screws out of the top?
[EDIT] I just found this thread, answers the question!
http://forums.lancer.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=20464&mode=linear

 

[hvbaker]

There is a metal boss glassed in the the deck organizer bolts into. Same as for your cabin top winches and your bow pulpit.

 

[Odyssey 30]

I had the same problem as you on my 1985 Cat 30. It was a combination of three issues. The first was an over sized halyard. The second was that the halyard and the topping lift were wrapped around each other inside of the mast. When hauling up the main, the halyard was rubbing on the topping lift inside the mast and adding friction and wear on the line. I found out about the wrap when the topping lift broke (inside the mast) and the boom dropped into the cockpit while lowering the sail. The third part is that the main halyard or the topping lift can come off the masthead sheave and foul the other line. This causes friction when it is under strain.

I hope this helps

Take Care

 

[jonelli]

I just ordered and received the full ball bearing style sheaves from Garhauer for the masthead and the deck organizers. Those will get replaced this coming weekend. I'm still contemplating replacing the 1/2" halyard. It's in good shape, just a little fat.
I have a rigid boom vang, so I don't have a real topping lift line. The clutch cleat on the deck labeled "top lift" goes to some kind of halyard that only goes half way up the front of the mast. I'm not sure what it's actually for.
I have a port and starboard jib halyard, and a spinnaker halyard as well.

I'm not really a spinnaker kind of guy. I don't plan on racing. I want to try it one time for fun since I have all the extra sails, but it seems like a lot of unnecessary work for sailing with just me and the wife to Catalina and back or a relaxing day sail.

 

[CharlzO]

I had a real problem with my main sheet halyard And I fixed it with one of these.

http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm/product/36_413/masthead-sheave--ball-bearing-c-30.cfm

Ooooh I do like that. Adding that to my list for the winter projects!

 

[jonelli]

---UPDATE---
Replaced masthead sheave with Garhauer ball bearing model.
Replaced deck organizer sheaves with the same.
Still had binding when main was half-way up.
Inspected the halyard, and even ran another line through the mast to see if it made any difference. Nothing.

Inspected all of the sail sliders, the top most one was steel, but looked okay, and the one at the first batton looked completely worn. I replaced both the top and the one at the first batton with new plastic slides.
Binding went away! Yay....

The top sheave actually looked okay, wasn't broken or cracked or terribly worn.
The deck organizer bolts that held the main halyard sheave were completely worn and looked dangerous. Replaced all those as well.

So, I can now get the main up from the cockpit, but I still have to use the winch. Not too bad.

 

[mortyd]

i've aways had to use the winch for the last third or so. we have heavy mains. it's ok.