Brian, other than pulling the mast, what options does an unlucky sailor like me have to get a lost main halyard through the upper mast sheave. It is a fractional rig (7/8) so using the jibhalyard is not an option for a 5ft 7inch person like me. thanks JZ
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Probably Won't Work For You
In my MAC 23,I accidently pulled the free end of my main halyard up to the block on an overnight. I was anchored in a deep V shaped cove. I ran a line to one shore at the lowest point on the boat I could tie it off. I ran the free end of the main halyard to the opposite shore. I raised the keel. I then pulled the boat over so that I could reach the block. I was surprised how difficult it was to lay it over, but I was able to do it. After that I added a knot so that the free end of the halyard could not be pulled out of reach on the block.
In my MAC 23,I accidently pulled the free end of my main halyard up to the block on an overnight. I was anchored in a deep V shaped cove. I ran a line to one shore at the lowest point on the boat I could tie it off. I ran the free end of the main halyard to the opposite shore. I raised the keel. I then pulled the boat over so that I could reach the block. I was surprised how difficult it was to lay it over, but I was able to do it. After that I added a knot so that the free end of the halyard could not be pulled out of reach on the block.
Thought about that too
Thanks for that response: I thought about that too, however, my mast is 45ft high and my fixed keel is a 6 footer. JZ
Thanks for that response: I thought about that too, however, my mast is 45ft high and my fixed keel is a 6 footer. JZ
Up the mast
Get a bosun's chair, learn the safety drill. (one halyard to lift you, another as a safety line, and one crew on the safety line, one on the winch.) Then up you go (or your happy volunteer). The procedure doesn't take long, and provided the recovery at the top is possible you will be back in operation quickly. If you don't want to take the trip, your yard or sial loft will know a rigger who will do it for a fee. We've used both approaches. David Lady Lillie
Get a bosun's chair, learn the safety drill. (one halyard to lift you, another as a safety line, and one crew on the safety line, one on the winch.) Then up you go (or your happy volunteer). The procedure doesn't take long, and provided the recovery at the top is possible you will be back in operation quickly. If you don't want to take the trip, your yard or sial loft will know a rigger who will do it for a fee. We've used both approaches. David Lady Lillie
Another possibility
Are there any low bridges nearby, without much traffic, and not a lot of current? Motor the boat close, with a friend on the bridge, that can retrieve your halyard.
Are there any low bridges nearby, without much traffic, and not a lot of current? Motor the boat close, with a friend on the bridge, that can retrieve your halyard.
Sounds Like A Yard Job
Re-reading your post, it appears the line dropped through the masthead. If so, I can't imagine any way to get it back other than a yard's help. Please confirn: did the halyard get past the mast sheave or is it just hung up at the top? Rick D.
Re-reading your post, it appears the line dropped through the masthead. If so, I can't imagine any way to get it back other than a yard's help. Please confirn: did the halyard get past the mast sheave or is it just hung up at the top? Rick D.
Threading a needle from 10ft away
Hello, Worst-case scenario here, assuming you have no spare main halyard. But if the working end is jammed in the sheave, you can conceivably fish it out with a bit of TIG wire, seized very securely to a sufficiently long 2x2. A lanyard, attached to you, and a light downhaul line, affixed to the other end of the 2x2, completes the kit. Bend the end of the TIG into a compact hook shape. Take yourself and the stick up to the top of the jibstay. Hold the stick against the back of the mast, and ease it upwards until a deck crew, watching through binoculars, says, "For the Love of God, Stop!", when the hook looks like it is contact with the end of the halyard. Maintain your grip, or adjust it as the deck orders, while a third person very gingerly takes up on the downhaul. Stop to adjust the hook size and shape. Repeat first part. Now, if the halyard has disappeared inside, pull it out the bottom and make up a different setup: bend the TIG into a very compact eyelet at its end. Run some light twine through the eyelet, and attach a fishing weight to it. The weight has to be small enough to fit into the masthead, and at least a bit heavier than 12ft or so of the twine. Finally, bend the TIG so it is at about right angle to the stick. Again with the help of deck crew, ease that stick up and push the TIG into the mast, above the sheave, all the while keeping the weight fetched up against the eyelet. Stop to shape the wire for a cleaner entry. Reinsert, then ease away on the string. It can be helpful if deck crew gets over on the side of the boat the halyard exit is on. Leave the wire in the mast until the deck crew has fished the weight out of the halyard exit (flashlight, more TIG), tied a heavier messenger on to the end, and sent it up to you, with you pulling on the twine, until the messenger reaches the wire. Ease the wire out of the mast. If the messenger is fat enough that it can't slip off the side of the sheave and jam, you are golden; pull the halyard up, from whichever end suits you. Don't even think about trying either of these methods on anything but a flat calm day. If you suceed, Get up to the top on the main and a tether, and install a cheek block suitable for a spare main halyard Reeve a messenger in it, one that can serve as a masthead flag halyard. If you don't suceed, pulling the mast isn't nearly as much an adventure, but probably a relative bargain. If you don't believe me, then when you are up there, trying to finesse that stupid wire into the sheave, ask yourself, "What would I pay, right now, not to have to do this?" Fair leads, Brion Toss
Hello, Worst-case scenario here, assuming you have no spare main halyard. But if the working end is jammed in the sheave, you can conceivably fish it out with a bit of TIG wire, seized very securely to a sufficiently long 2x2. A lanyard, attached to you, and a light downhaul line, affixed to the other end of the 2x2, completes the kit. Bend the end of the TIG into a compact hook shape. Take yourself and the stick up to the top of the jibstay. Hold the stick against the back of the mast, and ease it upwards until a deck crew, watching through binoculars, says, "For the Love of God, Stop!", when the hook looks like it is contact with the end of the halyard. Maintain your grip, or adjust it as the deck orders, while a third person very gingerly takes up on the downhaul. Stop to adjust the hook size and shape. Repeat first part. Now, if the halyard has disappeared inside, pull it out the bottom and make up a different setup: bend the TIG into a very compact eyelet at its end. Run some light twine through the eyelet, and attach a fishing weight to it. The weight has to be small enough to fit into the masthead, and at least a bit heavier than 12ft or so of the twine. Finally, bend the TIG so it is at about right angle to the stick. Again with the help of deck crew, ease that stick up and push the TIG into the mast, above the sheave, all the while keeping the weight fetched up against the eyelet. Stop to shape the wire for a cleaner entry. Reinsert, then ease away on the string. It can be helpful if deck crew gets over on the side of the boat the halyard exit is on. Leave the wire in the mast until the deck crew has fished the weight out of the halyard exit (flashlight, more TIG), tied a heavier messenger on to the end, and sent it up to you, with you pulling on the twine, until the messenger reaches the wire. Ease the wire out of the mast. If the messenger is fat enough that it can't slip off the side of the sheave and jam, you are golden; pull the halyard up, from whichever end suits you. Don't even think about trying either of these methods on anything but a flat calm day. If you suceed, Get up to the top on the main and a tether, and install a cheek block suitable for a spare main halyard Reeve a messenger in it, one that can serve as a masthead flag halyard. If you don't suceed, pulling the mast isn't nearly as much an adventure, but probably a relative bargain. If you don't believe me, then when you are up there, trying to finesse that stupid wire into the sheave, ask yourself, "What would I pay, right now, not to have to do this?" Fair leads, Brion Toss
Mission accomplished
Yes, the halyard had dropped to the bottom of the mast. So, earlier tonight (pretty windy) I sent my 11-year old son up in a bosun chair on the jib halyard and he managed to do the trick with the TIG as you suggested. Halyard is in its right place again and we're ready to sail to Half Moon Bay this weekend. Thanks everyone for the positive input. Much appreciated!
Yes, the halyard had dropped to the bottom of the mast. So, earlier tonight (pretty windy) I sent my 11-year old son up in a bosun chair on the jib halyard and he managed to do the trick with the TIG as you suggested. Halyard is in its right place again and we're ready to sail to Half Moon Bay this weekend. Thanks everyone for the positive input. Much appreciated!
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