I am new to sailing, but loving my 26M. One upgrade I would like to do is to run my mainsail halyards back to the cockpit so I can raise and lower my sail from there. I know there are kits, but someone told me that if I block the mainsail halyard back near the cockpit, there will be too much tension on the mast and it will not rotate. Someone else suggested to have a block and tackle at the low end of the mast to allow mast rotation, and then use a boat hook to release the sail, avoiding having to climb on deck. I have a roller furler for the genoa that works great from the cockpit, and I would love to be able to raise and lower the mainsail from there as well. Does anyone have any experience with this or suggestions? Your help is appreciated thank you.
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MrBill
Rotating mast ideas
I have not been on a 26M, but had a hobie 16 w/roatating mast. I would think tension on halyards would prevent the mast from rotating. thus, I would think about installing cam cleats at the bottom of the mast, before any turning blocks, this way you could release the tension on the halyards to allow the mast to rotate. Releasing the halyards would reqire poping the line out of the cleat... which could be done with a pole or broomstick. (or hand). adding turning blocks shouldn;t be a big deal... -any other ideas??? (I have halyards led aft in my 26D, and they are great)
I have not been on a 26M, but had a hobie 16 w/roatating mast. I would think tension on halyards would prevent the mast from rotating. thus, I would think about installing cam cleats at the bottom of the mast, before any turning blocks, this way you could release the tension on the halyards to allow the mast to rotate. Releasing the halyards would reqire poping the line out of the cleat... which could be done with a pole or broomstick. (or hand). adding turning blocks shouldn;t be a big deal... -any other ideas??? (I have halyards led aft in my 26D, and they are great)
Mast Rotates OK
I have the mainsail halyard to the rear. Had it installed by the dealer when I bought it. Have a block at the base and a second cheek block above the one for the dagger board pennant and a cam cleat near the winch. Works fine and have no problem with mast rotating.
I have the mainsail halyard to the rear. Had it installed by the dealer when I bought it. Have a block at the base and a second cheek block above the one for the dagger board pennant and a cam cleat near the winch. Works fine and have no problem with mast rotating.
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mrbill
rotating mast
Again, this is just a guess! but if there is a LOT of tension on a line from the top of the mast to the deck, I would think this would RESTRICT its ability to turn, side to side. one side will (should) have more tension (load) that the other. if the mast is turning, than the line must be stretching, or its loose. I'm sure someone has done this, I'd like to see a photo of how it was done. Probably the macgregor sailors board will have the answer, as it seems more late model owners go there...
Again, this is just a guess! but if there is a LOT of tension on a line from the top of the mast to the deck, I would think this would RESTRICT its ability to turn, side to side. one side will (should) have more tension (load) that the other. if the mast is turning, than the line must be stretching, or its loose. I'm sure someone has done this, I'd like to see a photo of how it was done. Probably the macgregor sailors board will have the answer, as it seems more late model owners go there...
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Richard O'Brien
main halyard aft
I just set mine up for the main, but have no photos to share. I replaced the 4" x 3/8" mast bolt with a 4-1/2". I bought a stainless hinge from Lowes and modified it so that it was approx. 2-1/2" x 1-1/2" with one hole drilled out to 3/8". I fastened it to the new 5" mast bolt on the starboard side, and attached a ronstan block to it. I added another block to the starboard stanchion, and finally a ronstan cleat just outside the starboard winch. The halyard now runs down to the base of the mast, across to the stanchion, and aft to the powercleat. Works great. The block at the base of the mast is necc. as if it were attached to the masr it would interfere with the rotation. Hope this helps
I just set mine up for the main, but have no photos to share. I replaced the 4" x 3/8" mast bolt with a 4-1/2". I bought a stainless hinge from Lowes and modified it so that it was approx. 2-1/2" x 1-1/2" with one hole drilled out to 3/8". I fastened it to the new 5" mast bolt on the starboard side, and attached a ronstan block to it. I added another block to the starboard stanchion, and finally a ronstan cleat just outside the starboard winch. The halyard now runs down to the base of the mast, across to the stanchion, and aft to the powercleat. Works great. The block at the base of the mast is necc. as if it were attached to the masr it would interfere with the rotation. Hope this helps
Mast Rotation
The closer to the centre line the turning blocks are the less they will restrict any rotation, however having sailed on a 26M I am firmly of the belief that the mast rotates too far so anything that restricts this may be an advantage. Cheers
The closer to the centre line the turning blocks are the less they will restrict any rotation, however having sailed on a 26M I am firmly of the belief that the mast rotates too far so anything that restricts this may be an advantage. Cheers
Easy
You need two single blocks. Clip one block to the hole that the mast raising pole's bolt goes through, on the starboard side. Clip the other block to the stanchion on the starboard side. Then, thread the halyard through and back to the cockpit. Done. My mast 26M mast rotates just fine. Alternatively, if you want a downhaul, replace the two single blocks with double blocks and replace the main halyard with ~100' of line. this will allow you to feed the line down through the blocks and back to the cockpit, like you'd expect. Then, feed the line back through the blocks to the shackle on the mainsail. You don't need quite 100' but thats what I used...
You need two single blocks. Clip one block to the hole that the mast raising pole's bolt goes through, on the starboard side. Clip the other block to the stanchion on the starboard side. Then, thread the halyard through and back to the cockpit. Done. My mast 26M mast rotates just fine. Alternatively, if you want a downhaul, replace the two single blocks with double blocks and replace the main halyard with ~100' of line. this will allow you to feed the line down through the blocks and back to the cockpit, like you'd expect. Then, feed the line back through the blocks to the shackle on the mainsail. You don't need quite 100' but thats what I used...
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BALU
How tight........
How tight do you make your main to still allow rotation? I have been considering this conversion for my M.but am concerned about altering the designed performance. BALU
How tight do you make your main to still allow rotation? I have been considering this conversion for my M.but am concerned about altering the designed performance. BALU
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