The pulley at the top of the mast is stuck. Has anyone had any solution other than stepping the mast. Any ideas will be appreciated. Jerry
Main halyard pulley stuck
- Thread starter Jerry5373
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Go aloft?
Going aloft would be preferable to un-steping the mast IMHO. The view up there is great.
Going aloft would be preferable to un-steping the mast IMHO. The view up there is great.
Go aloft
I just went up my mast last weekend and while it was a little more difficult to do this time than the last time (when I was 18) it still is not difficult. Instead of having someone winch me up the mast, I use my main sheet and attach the boom end blocks to the main halyard and the boat end with the block and cam to my bosun chair. I then hoist up the halyard with the mainsheet free as far as it can go (about 2/3 up the mast). Climb in you chair and hoist yourself up with the block and tackle. Periodically reset the cam and tie some knots in the mainsheet along the way so you can come crashing down. When I get to the spreaders, I stand up and have someone reset the main halyard to the mast head.
I just went up my mast last weekend and while it was a little more difficult to do this time than the last time (when I was 18) it still is not difficult. Instead of having someone winch me up the mast, I use my main sheet and attach the boom end blocks to the main halyard and the boat end with the block and cam to my bosun chair. I then hoist up the halyard with the mainsheet free as far as it can go (about 2/3 up the mast). Climb in you chair and hoist yourself up with the block and tackle. Periodically reset the cam and tie some knots in the mainsheet along the way so you can come crashing down. When I get to the spreaders, I stand up and have someone reset the main halyard to the mast head.
Rigger could not reach it
I had a rigger scheduled to replace a TV antenna at the top of the mast and he said he could not reach the pulley to break it loose. That is the reason I am searching for alternatives to going up the mast. The crane in the boat yard is not all enough for him to reach the pulley either.
I had a rigger scheduled to replace a TV antenna at the top of the mast and he said he could not reach the pulley to break it loose. That is the reason I am searching for alternatives to going up the mast. The crane in the boat yard is not all enough for him to reach the pulley either.
Similar problem
Have a 33, but the mast may be similar. The halyard for the genny could not be restrung. Had to hire a rigger. He had to take the cap off the mast to do the job. The work was to much for me, but no problem for the rigger. With the cap off your rigger will have access to the main halyard pulley and should be able to get it working again. should be able to do this without dropping the mast.
Have a 33, but the mast may be similar. The halyard for the genny could not be restrung. Had to hire a rigger. He had to take the cap off the mast to do the job. The work was to much for me, but no problem for the rigger. With the cap off your rigger will have access to the main halyard pulley and should be able to get it working again. should be able to do this without dropping the mast.
here is a way to get at it.
find a bigger boat nearby, talk the owner into letting the rigger go up his mast to work on yours. You have to put boats next to each other usually in a slip. use the spin halyard to pull the masts together then go up the taller rig. Works great, also good way to get lost or broken halyards antennas ect that are right on the top of yours. Yes it does require some careful planning!
find a bigger boat nearby, talk the owner into letting the rigger go up his mast to work on yours. You have to put boats next to each other usually in a slip. use the spin halyard to pull the masts together then go up the taller rig. Works great, also good way to get lost or broken halyards antennas ect that are right on the top of yours. Yes it does require some careful planning!
Two problems:
I have to assume the mast is a Kenyon, and that it is not too different from the one on my Hunter 33 (C). The sheaves were cast aluminum with a pressed in center bushing made of bakelite or phenolic. The problem is the aluminum corrodes at the center and compresses the bushing around the shaft, eventually locking it onto the shaft. Penetrating oils seem to swell the bushing more, making the problem worse.The only way to get the sheave out is to pull it's shaft out, and the only way to do that is to pull the masthead up and out. At that point you have lost all support of the upper mast. Not a good situation if you are up at the top. (I don't understand why you can't get to the top.) I don't think I would be up the mast supported only by the lowers. Time to pull the mast. I have repaired mine by reaming out the plastic bushing, but I fear the compression is continuing. There is a company advertising in the back of Good Old boat: www.zephyrwerks.com (Note spelling) 360-385-2720. It appears they will make up a 4" custom sheave for about $50.00, which doesn't seem too awful. Garhauer Marine would be a good source also. I have never found a stock sheave to replace mine so custom appears to be the choice. Let us know how you do on this one.
I have to assume the mast is a Kenyon, and that it is not too different from the one on my Hunter 33 (C). The sheaves were cast aluminum with a pressed in center bushing made of bakelite or phenolic. The problem is the aluminum corrodes at the center and compresses the bushing around the shaft, eventually locking it onto the shaft. Penetrating oils seem to swell the bushing more, making the problem worse.The only way to get the sheave out is to pull it's shaft out, and the only way to do that is to pull the masthead up and out. At that point you have lost all support of the upper mast. Not a good situation if you are up at the top. (I don't understand why you can't get to the top.) I don't think I would be up the mast supported only by the lowers. Time to pull the mast. I have repaired mine by reaming out the plastic bushing, but I fear the compression is continuing. There is a company advertising in the back of Good Old boat: www.zephyrwerks.com (Note spelling) 360-385-2720. It appears they will make up a 4" custom sheave for about $50.00, which doesn't seem too awful. Garhauer Marine would be a good source also. I have never found a stock sheave to replace mine so custom appears to be the choice. Let us know how you do on this one.
No cap up there.
The standard Kenyon mast on the H37C did not have a cap. There are stainless tabs held in with screws on the side of the mast. Remove those and the axle for the sheaves can be pushed out. If you do this with the mast up then MAKE SURE you have captured the halyards and sheaves so they don't go down inside the mast. You can find the sheaves at Rig-Rite I think. If not then you will have to bring them down for measuring and ordering. If you do bring the mast down think about putting it back up with everything that you will ever want: TV antenna, four halyards, new wiring, new combo anchor/running light, wind transducer, radar, etc.
The standard Kenyon mast on the H37C did not have a cap. There are stainless tabs held in with screws on the side of the mast. Remove those and the axle for the sheaves can be pushed out. If you do this with the mast up then MAKE SURE you have captured the halyards and sheaves so they don't go down inside the mast. You can find the sheaves at Rig-Rite I think. If not then you will have to bring them down for measuring and ordering. If you do bring the mast down think about putting it back up with everything that you will ever want: TV antenna, four halyards, new wiring, new combo anchor/running light, wind transducer, radar, etc.
Ed, someone said . . . .
this is not a race. It has taken me ten years and I still do not have a working TV. I wonder if a TracVision on the mast is too much weight aloft? The price is down to only $3400.!!
this is not a race. It has taken me ten years and I still do not have a working TV. I wonder if a TracVision on the mast is too much weight aloft? The price is down to only $3400.!!
Kenyon Masthead
Ed, I think the 5280 Kenyon spar is the mast section on both your 37c and my 36. Unfortunately, I am keenly aware of the difficulty of working on the sheave. The 3-3/4" sheave is listed in the below webpage as are the 4 different length masthead sheave pins (11129-1 thru 4). On my mast, with it horizontal on sawhorses on the ground, I found it difficult to remove the ss screw, which holds the teardrop pin tab, from the Aluminum spar. I had to drill out the screw in one case. There is a chance that some debris has somehow wedged along the outside of the sheave (internal to the masthead) which is causing friction. Have you tried working the halyard by alternately pulling on each end of the line with good tension on the opposite end to see if the sheave turns at all? I likely have photos of the masthead/sheave if your interested. Email me using the owners directory link.
Ed, I think the 5280 Kenyon spar is the mast section on both your 37c and my 36. Unfortunately, I am keenly aware of the difficulty of working on the sheave. The 3-3/4" sheave is listed in the below webpage as are the 4 different length masthead sheave pins (11129-1 thru 4). On my mast, with it horizontal on sawhorses on the ground, I found it difficult to remove the ss screw, which holds the teardrop pin tab, from the Aluminum spar. I had to drill out the screw in one case. There is a chance that some debris has somehow wedged along the outside of the sheave (internal to the masthead) which is causing friction. Have you tried working the halyard by alternately pulling on each end of the line with good tension on the opposite end to see if the sheave turns at all? I likely have photos of the masthead/sheave if your interested. Email me using the owners directory link.
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