Jammed halyard

Jake77

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Sep 15, 2015
3
Seafarer 30 Brooklyn
My main halyard got jammed for the second time this season. This year I had put in a thinner rope and wonder if that could be the cause or is it likely the pulley is damaged? Anyone have a similar experience?
 
Sep 23, 2009
1,477
O'Day 34-At Last Rock Hall, Md
Welcome aboard.
Most likely it jumped the sheave and isj jammed on the side. The only way I can think to fix it is to go up the mast. Possibly the sheaves need replacing.
Good luck.
 
Jan 1, 2006
7,990
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
Did it ever jam with the larger diameter halyard? How did you clear the jam the first time it happened this season? Where was the jam? Once it is cleared you could put the old halyard back on and see if it jams again. That would be a pretty good indication. In any event, that Seafarer is probably 30 years old and the sheave could be worn allowing the halyard to jump out and jam. Don't be surprised if the sheave is designed for wire instead of cordage on that vintage of yacht.
 
Feb 8, 2014
1,300
Columbia 36 Muskegon
If the halyard has jumped the sheave and is stuck beside it, you might be able to clear it with your spinnaker halyard if you have one. Put a shackle around the stuck halyard with a line attached so you can pull it back down, and raise this all the way up with the spin halyard. By pulling on both lines you might be able to lift it out from under the sheave and pop it back into its groove. Use binoculars to see what you're doing.
Could be the sheave has a chunk broken out of its side, and if so, it will just get jammed again. You'll have to replace it, and might as well do all of them.
 
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Jake77

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Sep 15, 2015
3
Seafarer 30 Brooklyn
I pulled along side of a freind's boat and he went up and cleared it. He also said I should get the block replaced. I will have the yard take the mast down in a few weeks when I put the boat away then take care of that. Thank you guys for your feedback!