Hi, looking for a tip on how to get the sheet end connector that clips to sail head. It was inadvertedly pulled up to top of mast. Now its stuck there. Any clues on how to get it down without dropping the mast? Regards, Wood
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yard
If you are on good terms with a yard with a crane near the water, or have a buddy on good terms with same... time to collect easy favor. Maybe they could send a man out... and pull it down for a coule of beers after work.
If you are on good terms with a yard with a crane near the water, or have a buddy on good terms with same... time to collect easy favor. Maybe they could send a man out... and pull it down for a coule of beers after work.
This worked on Novelman's boat.
I tied (duct taped) a coat hanger wire to the main halyard. Make a hook and cut the end of the wire with a nice sharp bevel so that it either snags the rope or the fitting, and run it up the mast. After 3 or 4 adjustments to the angle I was able to snag it. Just make sure that you have a messenger rope attached to retrieve the main halyard. Frank
I tied (duct taped) a coat hanger wire to the main halyard. Make a hook and cut the end of the wire with a nice sharp bevel so that it either snags the rope or the fitting, and run it up the mast. After 3 or 4 adjustments to the angle I was able to snag it. Just make sure that you have a messenger rope attached to retrieve the main halyard. Frank
Boat Size???
With a smaller boat and a shorter mast you might get it with a ladder and a pole with a hook. the taller the rig the more likely you will have to go up the mast. I would think that going up the mast would be a lot cheaper than dropping the mast. With a really small boat like a catalina 22 you might be able to heel the boat towards a high bank enough to snag the halyard.
With a smaller boat and a shorter mast you might get it with a ladder and a pole with a hook. the taller the rig the more likely you will have to go up the mast. I would think that going up the mast would be a lot cheaper than dropping the mast. With a really small boat like a catalina 22 you might be able to heel the boat towards a high bank enough to snag the halyard.
PVC Pipe
I retrieved my main halyard on my H37 (mast head 52ft off the deck) by connecting 3 12 ft lengths of 3/4 inch PVC pipe, with a hook on one end. I hauled it up using a spare spinaker halyard and was able to snag the end fitting with the hook by manipulating the pvc pipe from the deck.
I retrieved my main halyard on my H37 (mast head 52ft off the deck) by connecting 3 12 ft lengths of 3/4 inch PVC pipe, with a hook on one end. I hauled it up using a spare spinaker halyard and was able to snag the end fitting with the hook by manipulating the pvc pipe from the deck.
I had a topping lift and the spin halyard
suck completely out of the mast. I've gotta get a top climber next week and take them back up.
suck completely out of the mast. I've gotta get a top climber next week and take them back up.
Golf ball retriever / Halyard retriever
If your mast is short, like mine, I once taped a hook made from a clothes hanger, onto the end of one of those telescoping golf ball retrievers. It worked great! Good luck!
If your mast is short, like mine, I once taped a hook made from a clothes hanger, onto the end of one of those telescoping golf ball retrievers. It worked great! Good luck!
All good ideas, however...
I would add that try using a bunch of treble fish hooks. Those suckers will grab anything. Works great! (Including fingers-if you have ever fished-you know what I mean)
I would add that try using a bunch of treble fish hooks. Those suckers will grab anything. Works great! (Including fingers-if you have ever fished-you know what I mean)
boat house roof
I had this happen on my Catalina 22 a few years ago. I motored over to the marina restuarant and tied the boat off next to the top deck patio. I used a 10' pole with a coat hanger hook on the end, grabbed the halyard and fed it down to the first mate.
I had this happen on my Catalina 22 a few years ago. I motored over to the marina restuarant and tied the boat off next to the top deck patio. I used a 10' pole with a coat hanger hook on the end, grabbed the halyard and fed it down to the first mate.
skying the halyard
Wood - I thought you might feel better if you knew that there was a name for this not so uncommon problem - its called skying the halyard. The halyard pulls the sail up. If you pull it up without the sail and no way down, its said to be 'skyed'. I assume because its way up there in the sky. My family skyed my boxer shorts once, tied them to the halyard and pulled them up. They *claimed* they did not not realize how hard the shorts would be to retrieve. So, hey, the hook ideas are great - I'll try that next time my boxer shorts go up the mast. Damn kids. (Not to mention my wife, who was a collaborator in this stunt
Good times.
Wood - I thought you might feel better if you knew that there was a name for this not so uncommon problem - its called skying the halyard. The halyard pulls the sail up. If you pull it up without the sail and no way down, its said to be 'skyed'. I assume because its way up there in the sky. My family skyed my boxer shorts once, tied them to the halyard and pulled them up. They *claimed* they did not not realize how hard the shorts would be to retrieve. So, hey, the hook ideas are great - I'll try that next time my boxer shorts go up the mast. Damn kids. (Not to mention my wife, who was a collaborator in this stunt
Good times.
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