Main Halyard wraps around mast

[Joe McMahon]

I motor out of my slip into Long Island sound and when I'm ready to raise the mainsail it's caught on the mast light or wrapped around the mast. I check that it's taut and free before leaving the slip. I have to run in circles before the halyard becomes free to raise the sail. I don't want to cleat/uncleat the sail each time I go out. Any suggestions on how to prevent this from happening most of the time??

 

[LaDonna Bubak - Catalina Owners]

A bungee cord

You might try attaching a bungee to the shackle & then down to the base of the mast. Then tighten up the halyard to it's truly taught & can't go anywhere. Just an idea.LaDonna

 

[Joe Ford]

Raise the main sooner......

Sounds like the halyard is slapping around while you are motoring. Why don't you go ahead and raise the main right after leaving the slip? If you are not going to raise the main right away, wait till you get to the sailing area before you hook it up. Then raise it.

 

[Barry Broyles]

Try a main downhaul

Joe, You didn't mention if your main sail has sail slugs or just a bolt rope, but either way a downhaul should help. Before I changed over to sail slugs and half way through the firstseason with them I had the same problem. The came from the fact that even though I pulled the halyard taught, the sail would work loose from the sail ties and create slack in the halyard. If you add a main downhaul you can cleat it tight and this will keep the halyard taught, not to mention it makes it easier pull the sail down if you use slugs. The downhaul is inexpensive and easy to install and rig. You need 30 to 35 feet of 1/4" polyester line, a small clam cleat, and a small block (if you want to run it back to the cockpit). On one end of the line tie a bowline through the halyard shackle where it attaches to the headboard or if using slugs tie it around the first slug below the headboard. Than run the line down the right side of the mast to the bottom where you can mount a cleat to the mast or mount a block on or near the mast and than a cleat on the cabin top. This has worked out very well for me for about five years especially on windy days. PS, Its a big help when reefing the main.Barry BroylesNorth East Md.LTBROYT6D@cs.com

 

[Ken Luke]

Point into Wind

Joe,I used to have the same problem but have mostly figured out how to avoid it:1. Keep the halyard tight until you want to raise the sail.2. Then, be sure you're pointing into the wind before you slacken the halyard. (A side wind will wrap a loose halyard.)3. Then, tighten the halyard as soon as possible, while still pointing into the wind.It seems obvious now, but as I said, it used to be a problem for me until I figured it out.Ken