Little H22 repairs

[Squadron]

Hey guys!

I've got a couple of projects that need to be done over the next few weeks, before sailing season starts kicking in full-force. As I took inventory of what I have and what I'd need, I wanted to ask some questions (I didn't find anything in a cursory search of the forums):

1. Tiller - The tiller has a lot of play in it, and I noticed that the bushings that are supposed to be holding the tiller in place are worn out. Is there somewhere online I could order a repair kit or replacement parts?

2. Bilge pump - The boat came with an old V500 bilge pump that leaks like crazy and doesn't push water out very well. I'm planning on replacing it with a Rule 1100 for extra power and capacity. Right now the pump is directly underneath the stairs/sink. Would there be better placement?

3. Retrieving a halyard - This has to be done fairly soon, it's annoying that I can't sail using a real jib. Any ideas on how to retrieve this without stepping down the mast? I see an advertisement on here for a halyard retriever, but before I plunk down the cash for that I'd want to know if it actually works.

Thanks!

 

[scott21050]

The rudder is locked down when the blade is extended. Some people have drilled a hole in one of the hinge pins and places a quick pin in it. as far as the halyard, well I had to unstep my mast to get the halyard. You might try a fishing tape which you can get from Home Depot and you will need it anyway to run the halyard.

Good Luck,

Scott

 

[Ed Schenck]

We recently taped a length of PVC to the end of a whisker pole to retrieve a halyard. But your mast is so easily stepped, not sure why you wouldn't do that. Maybe you have no help, really need at least two.

 

[Squadron]

Yeah, the reason I'd rather not step the mast is two-fold. One, I have no experience doing that, and two although I do have help she doesn't have any idea how to do that either. And it's not so much the stepping down as the stepping back up and rigging it up again, just to get the halyard down. I figured there must be a better way. The PVC and tape scheme seems interesting.

 

[tomgrigsby]

Not sure exactly what you have mast wise, but on my Catalina 22 I could drop and raise the mast fairly easily.
You disconnect only the spreader shrouds that run forward of the mast and use the forestay to lower the mast. You can connect a line to the lower end of the forestay and run it through a block and aft to control lowering (and help with raising, from aft). My mast had removable 2 removable pins and 2 fixed pins at the base of the mast. The fixed pins were under the foot plate and kept the base of the mast from kicking out as it got near horizontal.
To disconnect the shrouds and forestay, you'll need to loosen the turnbuckles a bit to get enough play to pull the pins at the deck connections. Leaving the aft spreader shrouds connected allows the aft spreaders stablize things on the way back up.
As you lower the mast, push up under it to take as much weight off the forestay helper as you can and you basically walk aft as it is coming down. By the time you reach the stern, it's done.
The mast will get a bit heavy as it nears horizontal, and you want to make sure it doesn't slide aft and kick out from under the foot bracket, but all in all it was an easy job. I usually had someone pulling on the forestay to help with the raising and lowering, but I did most of the work aft under the mast. Probably just having the Admiral's help would be all you'd need.
This is all assuming of course that your setup is like mine was. Maybe post a picture?
Best regards, Tom

 

[LDM]

Squadron, On halyard retrieval...it is easier to unstep the mast. With the cap on the mast there is NO extra room for coaxing anything through. Remove the boom. Close the main hatch to avoid dropping the boom attachment hardware through the plexiglas hatch cover (don't ask how I know) You will only need to disconnect the forestay since the shrouds are swept back. Tie your jib sheet securely to the forestay, run it through a block at the bow and through another block near a winch, and to the winch to make it easy on your assistant. Remove the front pin only at the mast step and ease the mast down. If you had a third tall helper standing on the cockpit lazerettes (or with a stick with a 'y' at the top) it would be even easier. This lowers the mast but the top will still be hanging off the stern ten feet...meaning over the water.. or ten feet off the ground if on the trailer. You can remove the other pin at the mast step and move the mast forward to better access the halyard rigging. Hope this helps. LDM