Hi All, I am trying to run my now external halyards - inside the mast. The problem I am having is running the halyards from the exit plates on the mast to the deck organizer. How do I turn the halyard 90 degree to the deck organizer blocks? I notice on some boats there is a plate-like unit that seems to go under the stepped mast to allow the attachment of several blocks including the mainsheet and boomvang as well as the multiple halyard blocks. I have a Catalina 30. I am trying to avoid drilling excess holes in the deck in which to mount the stand-up type blocks with base. Thanks - Rob
Internal Halyards
- Thread starter Rob19574
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Turning Blocks
Rob: I might have an answer for you. While I only have a Catalina 22, there are enough similarities between your boat and mine to make this a possible solution for you. At the bottom of my mast to turn my main halyard and tack reefing line, although for you this would be the jib halyard, I used Schaefer pivoting turning blocks. By using long screws that enter through the base of one of the turning blocks, that then go through the mast, and then terminate into barrel nuts in the base of the opposing turning block, I through bolt the turning blocks to the mast. Please refer to the link below to see this on my site. Go to the the eighth picture down to see the arrangement. While this article refers to my tack reefing line, it will provide the information you require. I do not think putting turning blocks into the deck is advisable because you create the tendency to have the halyards pull the mast down onto the deck.
Rob: I might have an answer for you. While I only have a Catalina 22, there are enough similarities between your boat and mine to make this a possible solution for you. At the bottom of my mast to turn my main halyard and tack reefing line, although for you this would be the jib halyard, I used Schaefer pivoting turning blocks. By using long screws that enter through the base of one of the turning blocks, that then go through the mast, and then terminate into barrel nuts in the base of the opposing turning block, I through bolt the turning blocks to the mast. Please refer to the link below to see this on my site. Go to the the eighth picture down to see the arrangement. While this article refers to my tack reefing line, it will provide the information you require. I do not think putting turning blocks into the deck is advisable because you create the tendency to have the halyards pull the mast down onto the deck.
exit blocks?
I know they exist - I've seen them in the past. Basically sheeves mounted in the exit plates. Of course this means locating "deck organizer blocks" abeam the mast for a fair lead. The pivot blocks Bayard shows are not as clean looking, but a great deal more flexible as they allow you do mount your deck turning blocks just about anywhere.
I know they exist - I've seen them in the past. Basically sheeves mounted in the exit plates. Of course this means locating "deck organizer blocks" abeam the mast for a fair lead. The pivot blocks Bayard shows are not as clean looking, but a great deal more flexible as they allow you do mount your deck turning blocks just about anywhere.
Why not drill the cabintop?
If properly bedded it shouldn't be a problem. If you can get a mast plate like Moody suggests, all well and good, but if not, just put standing blocks in. In fact, you don't need standing blocks, just regular ones, since the tension on the halyard would keep the block up anyway during sailing, and you want your main halyard tight even when not sailing. Yup, you need to turn the lines 90 degrees at the base of the mast. Suggest you look around your dock to see how others have done it. Stu
If properly bedded it shouldn't be a problem. If you can get a mast plate like Moody suggests, all well and good, but if not, just put standing blocks in. In fact, you don't need standing blocks, just regular ones, since the tension on the halyard would keep the block up anyway during sailing, and you want your main halyard tight even when not sailing. Yup, you need to turn the lines 90 degrees at the base of the mast. Suggest you look around your dock to see how others have done it. Stu
Directional blocks
Stu's idea is best. Cheek blocks work, but the 'regular' multi-directional blocks do the trick, they are under tension, and this will not drive the mast into the deck; shrouds, and stays can, but you have to work at it, first sign is the head door won't close... I like outside halyards, UV does weaken them, but you need to change periodically any way. Much easier to work with, and to quiet whence they make a racket. I really hate to drill a hole into a mast.
Stu's idea is best. Cheek blocks work, but the 'regular' multi-directional blocks do the trick, they are under tension, and this will not drive the mast into the deck; shrouds, and stays can, but you have to work at it, first sign is the head door won't close... I like outside halyards, UV does weaken them, but you need to change periodically any way. Much easier to work with, and to quiet whence they make a racket. I really hate to drill a hole into a mast.
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