Internal Halyard Blues

[Second Wind]

Through a truly remarkable series of mast-stepping misadventures, I find myself with BOTH port and starboard jib halhards pulled through the mast. I will not try to describe how this happened, lest I discourage someone from taking up sailing as a pastime. In any case, my mast in standing proudly, perfectly tuned, but the internal halyards are in my hand. Thankfully the main halyard is where it belongs. Can anyone suggest the easiest (least difficult) way of running two new halyards through the mast? Should I haul an unsuspecting volunteer to the top of the mast and try to lower them all the way down, or must I drop the mast and fish them through? Any thoughts on the situation would be greatly appreciated.

 

[David Sandowich]

missing halyards

IF I READ YOUR PROBLEM RIGHT YOUR HALYARDS ARE COMPLETELY OUT OF YOU R MAST. IF SO I SEE NO OTHER WAY BUT TO DROP THEM DOWN THROGH THE TOP. THE BLOCK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MAST SHOULD COME OUT WHICH SHOULD ALLOW YOU TO FISH IT OUT AND THEN THROUGH THE BOTTOM TURNING BLOCK. IF THAT WONT WORK I HAD TO CUT A SMALL INSPECTION HOLE ON THE BOTOM OF MY 27 CAT TO WORK ON THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION INSIDE THE MAST.I USED A 2 IN. WHOLE SAW AND COVERED UP WITH A SCRAP PIECE OF FLAT STOCK. YOU MUST HAVE A FRIEND SOMWHERE WHO GETS A KICK OUT OF BEING IN UNCOMFORTABLE PLACES. IF NOT TAKE HIM/HER OUT TO DINNER AFTER THE EXPERIENCE. GOOD LUCK

 

[Miss Manners]

To David Sandowich........

Your responses are informative and appreciated. However, using the UPPER CASE exclusively is considered SHOUTING! (electronically speaking) Besides messages written this way are difficult to read. Thanks for you contributions.

 

[Dick Keenan]

Maybe this will work

Second Wind, I have never experienced this problem so I'm not writing from experience, but here's what I would try: Since you still have one halyard in the mast, you could tape a small "leader line" to it (twine, string or fishing line should do well) and gently pull the halyard through until the section with the tape and leader arrives at the opening, then fish the leader across to the appropriate halyard opening. Attach the new halyard to the leader (a safety pin should work fine), then gently pull it through to the other end. Seems to me this could work when done from either end, whichever is most convenient for you.To David, I wouldn't worry about typing in all caps. This is a boat forum, not a graphic design class. If you were kind enough to help solve this problem, you got the drill down just fine. My God, can you even imagine having "Miss Manners" on your boat? I'll be he doesn't know how to sail.

 

[Mike Kastrop]

Internal Halyard fix

The best method I've seen for running internal halyards is to lash on 6-8 inches of motorcycle chain and drop them down from the top. You can then fish them out of the slots in the mast with a wire coat hanger. Take care not to twist or tangle the halyards inside the mast. Mike Kastrop C30 Goose

 

[Robert Fischer]

halyard fix

Tie a small fishing weight to a heavy (60lb test) fishing line, then hoist a friend to the mast head and have them drop it through. You should be able to fish it out at the bottom. Use a fid to separate the braid on the halyard then run the fishing line through it to really secure it to the halyard. Good luck.

 

[Gary Nickel]

Halyard Blues

I have lost my halyard a few times and have found it is much easier to find some one to go up and feed the lines down. A group of sailors went together and purchased a 110v winch. We mounted it on a alum. plate and made wood mast patterns for the different boats. Once we fasten it to the mast base up you go.Safe passagesGary Nickel