I have two winches on my mast, one on each side used for main and jib. I added a spinnaker halyard this year and will probably add a second jib halyard. I would like to have the ability to secure a halyard that is loaded so that I can remove it from the winch and then use that unloaded winch to use another halyard like a spinnaker halyard. I know this is eassily accomplished with rope cluthches when halyards are run aft to the cockpit. However, on an O'Day 34, running halyards aft is not practical. So, how do I secure a loaded halyard at the mast so that I can use that winch for another halyard? Is there ssome type of rope clutch like device that will mount on a mast? I have tried removing the halyard from the winch and trying to quickly secure it to a cleat that is already on the mast above the winch. It doesn't work. The loaded halyard always slips. I have hoisted the spinnaker without using the winch with limited success and some loss of skin from my hands. I need to be able to secure the loaded halyards before I remove them from the mast winch. Any suggestions or thoughts are aprreciated. My marina has suggested mounting a rope clutch on the mast but I can't see that as practical. Paul R
- Status
Are you halyards internal or external
To be practical, a rope clutch would have to be above the winch. With internal halyards, space might be an issue. Don't forget to think about how you are going to mount the clutch, or whatever you decide to implement, before making an expensive purchase. Some masts don't have much in the way of a flat surface to mount to. You may need to make an intermediate bracket or spacer that gets riveted to the mast. Unless you are going to unstep the mast, you'll want to use fasteners that can be secured from the outside.
To be practical, a rope clutch would have to be above the winch. With internal halyards, space might be an issue. Don't forget to think about how you are going to mount the clutch, or whatever you decide to implement, before making an expensive purchase. Some masts don't have much in the way of a flat surface to mount to. You may need to make an intermediate bracket or spacer that gets riveted to the mast. Unless you are going to unstep the mast, you'll want to use fasteners that can be secured from the outside.
cam cleat on mast?
I crewed on a boat (Evelyn 26) that had a cam cleat mounted on the mast for the spinnaker halyard. It wasn't exactly the situation you describe, but it might work. You could run the halyard through the cam cleat as you hoist with the winch. Then, when fully hoisted, the halyard is securely in the cam cleat and you can take the halyard off the winch. Two thing I'm not sure about: (1) can you keep the halyard in the cleat while you raise the sail or can you put it in the cleat while the halyard is still on the winch? (2) Can a cam cleat hold the load?
I crewed on a boat (Evelyn 26) that had a cam cleat mounted on the mast for the spinnaker halyard. It wasn't exactly the situation you describe, but it might work. You could run the halyard through the cam cleat as you hoist with the winch. Then, when fully hoisted, the halyard is securely in the cam cleat and you can take the halyard off the winch. Two thing I'm not sure about: (1) can you keep the halyard in the cleat while you raise the sail or can you put it in the cleat while the halyard is still on the winch? (2) Can a cam cleat hold the load?
rope clutch
I race on a CAL 33 that has a clutch on the mast for one of the spin halyards. It works fine.
I race on a CAL 33 that has a clutch on the mast for one of the spin halyards. It works fine.
clutch is fine
a rope clutch is fine for your application. Rope clutches on masts are not new for this and do the job. As for the 34 not being able to have lines led aft....why not?? I led all my lines aft on my 28 with just a little thought and planning. A few turning blocks at the mast base, line organizer and clutches on deck...voila.
a rope clutch is fine for your application. Rope clutches on masts are not new for this and do the job. As for the 34 not being able to have lines led aft....why not?? I led all my lines aft on my 28 with just a little thought and planning. A few turning blocks at the mast base, line organizer and clutches on deck...voila.
halyards on Oday mast
I led the main halyard back to the cockpit on my 34, added 2 sheetstopers on the cabin top (halyard & main sheet), leaving the main halyard winch on the mast for the spin halyard, line to cleat below mast. Got some great blocks from Garhauer to run lines aft.
I led the main halyard back to the cockpit on my 34, added 2 sheetstopers on the cabin top (halyard & main sheet), leaving the main halyard winch on the mast for the spin halyard, line to cleat below mast. Got some great blocks from Garhauer to run lines aft.
Follow up Question
Thank you to all who took the time to post a comment or suggestion. For those that suggested leading halyards back to the cockpit on an O'Day 34, How did you get past the raised ridge that forms an arc across the cabin top? When I look at it it looks like I can't get past that. I also had the guys at my marina look at it and they agreed, the only way to take the halyards aft would be to get out the saws-all and start removing fiberglass. I won't do that so my fall back position was to get it all done at the mast. I got some good suggestions about how to get that done and I say thank you to all of those thatg posted. Paul R
Thank you to all who took the time to post a comment or suggestion. For those that suggested leading halyards back to the cockpit on an O'Day 34, How did you get past the raised ridge that forms an arc across the cabin top? When I look at it it looks like I can't get past that. I also had the guys at my marina look at it and they agreed, the only way to take the halyards aft would be to get out the saws-all and start removing fiberglass. I won't do that so my fall back position was to get it all done at the mast. I got some good suggestions about how to get that done and I say thank you to all of those thatg posted. Paul R
- Status