Through no fault but my own, I am in a situation where I have no main halyard and need to know how to replace it with the mast in place. I have a 1986 Cataline Tall Rig with internal halyards. Assuming that I can get to the very top of the mast, it is clear that I need to run a messenger line down. Is there any easy way to do this and not get snagged on the internal wiring etc.
- Status
Internal Wiring?
Bob If you are willing to go UP, the new halyard should be able to come DOWN, with a reasonably heavy messenger. Deck or keel stepped? You haven't described what the condition is with your halyard. If it's cooked and disapperared down the mast, that's one thing. If it's still somewhere up there, that's different. Why is the internal wiring a problem? Isn't the wiring in conduit? If it is, what's the problem? You should be able to drop the new halyard easily. Again, deck or keel stepped? If deck stepped, how'd you get it out, good hole on the side of the mast? If wires are loose, you must have incredibly uncomfortable mast slap at anchor, in which case it's probably better to pull the mast, put all the conduit in a conduit, reeve the new halyard, get new sheaves at the top while you're at it, and get a good night's sleep at anchor for the first time. Good luck, let us know the details, Stu
Bob If you are willing to go UP, the new halyard should be able to come DOWN, with a reasonably heavy messenger. Deck or keel stepped? You haven't described what the condition is with your halyard. If it's cooked and disapperared down the mast, that's one thing. If it's still somewhere up there, that's different. Why is the internal wiring a problem? Isn't the wiring in conduit? If it is, what's the problem? You should be able to drop the new halyard easily. Again, deck or keel stepped? If deck stepped, how'd you get it out, good hole on the side of the mast? If wires are loose, you must have incredibly uncomfortable mast slap at anchor, in which case it's probably better to pull the mast, put all the conduit in a conduit, reeve the new halyard, get new sheaves at the top while you're at it, and get a good night's sleep at anchor for the first time. Good luck, let us know the details, Stu
Add'l details
The internal wiring must be in a conduit since it does not slap around. My mast is keel stepped but the block which holds the sheeves at the bottom comes out so I think I can fish the new halyard out from that point. I need an effective means of going up the mast for general purposes and have ordered a Mast Mate which is a webbed ladder that can be hoisted in the sail slot. I expect to receive this in a day or two and will try hoisting it with the jib halyard. One thing I have learned for sure is that I should have sewn the two halyards together instead of taping them before trying to replace the old one.
The internal wiring must be in a conduit since it does not slap around. My mast is keel stepped but the block which holds the sheeves at the bottom comes out so I think I can fish the new halyard out from that point. I need an effective means of going up the mast for general purposes and have ordered a Mast Mate which is a webbed ladder that can be hoisted in the sail slot. I expect to receive this in a day or two and will try hoisting it with the jib halyard. One thing I have learned for sure is that I should have sewn the two halyards together instead of taping them before trying to replace the old one.
Just ran a jib halyard
I just used my mast mate to run a jib halyard a few weeks ago. Yes your wiring is in a conduit. I got about 6 feet of small diameter chain ( that would feed thru the sheave) and sewed it on to the end of the halyard. I also removed the turning blocks from the base of the mast to allow for easy removal of the chain once it was down. It was an easy job. A few bits of advice on the mast mate. Make sure you wear heavy soled shoes or boots as the webbing is hard on your feet. Also strap your safety belt fairly close to the mast( this will reduce the fatigue of holding your self upright. good luck Tom Wingo
I just used my mast mate to run a jib halyard a few weeks ago. Yes your wiring is in a conduit. I got about 6 feet of small diameter chain ( that would feed thru the sheave) and sewed it on to the end of the halyard. I also removed the turning blocks from the base of the mast to allow for easy removal of the chain once it was down. It was an easy job. A few bits of advice on the mast mate. Make sure you wear heavy soled shoes or boots as the webbing is hard on your feet. Also strap your safety belt fairly close to the mast( this will reduce the fatigue of holding your self upright. good luck Tom Wingo
Stu Jackson
Once again.....Stu has a condescending, snide reply to a sailor's innocent inquiry. Most likey, all electrical wiring is in a plastic conduit riveted in your mast. This prevents halyards fouling with internal wiring. No problem to drop a your new halyard from your masthead (involves a bosun's chair), and a volunteer' and fishing it out at the cutout at the base of the mast with a coathanger. I have done it........not the end of the world. Good luck!! Douglas
Once again.....Stu has a condescending, snide reply to a sailor's innocent inquiry. Most likey, all electrical wiring is in a plastic conduit riveted in your mast. This prevents halyards fouling with internal wiring. No problem to drop a your new halyard from your masthead (involves a bosun's chair), and a volunteer' and fishing it out at the cutout at the base of the mast with a coathanger. I have done it........not the end of the world. Good luck!! Douglas
Problem solved
I went to the top of the mast and dropped a new halyard down after having sewn a length of bicycle chain to the end. This worked great and the problem was solved without difficulty. I climbed the mast using a "Mast Mate" that I had just purchased. This is a good piece of equipment and I would recommend it to anyone.
I went to the top of the mast and dropped a new halyard down after having sewn a length of bicycle chain to the end. This worked great and the problem was solved without difficulty. I climbed the mast using a "Mast Mate" that I had just purchased. This is a good piece of equipment and I would recommend it to anyone.
- Status