Mast Halyard Question

[atpjim]

Dumb question of the day.
What does the winch and attached halyard the on the side of the mast do?
The line goes into the mast but I can't see the other end anywhere up above.
The boat does have a spinnaker pole and rigging but I didn't get the sail with it.
I'm guessing that the end of the halyard is stuck somewhere up the mast.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

AT,

Let me see if I'm reading you correctly. Are you saying a halyard has wraps around a winch & looped to a cleat on your mast?

How many halyards do you have? Is there tension on the halyard in question? Do you have a headsail that's up now? I assume your main halyard is not the problem, it has a different winch & cleat right? If you answered yes to these questions, it could be attached to the headsail or, the shackle could be jammed on the pulleys atop your mast. I have 3 halyards, one for the main, headsail & a third spare (or spinnaker).

CR

 

[Cayennita]

How much line is there? do you have a headsail with roller furling? Is the sail on the headstay? Is there an exit block farther down the mast for a pole lift and it's two blocked? Have you gone up the mast to inspect what you have?
Normally the halyard and winch is for the headsail.

 

[atpjim]

I used my telephoto lens to get a clear view of the masthead.
Looks like the halyard was cut or otherwise jammed up at the block.
It must have been for the old headsail.
I posted some pictures on the Catalina 30 Facebook page but can't figure out how this site post pictures.

 

[chrisings]

atpjim, I think this was answered on the FB page. The halyard was not cut but rather your furling headsail halyard right?

 

[atpjim]

Yes it seems that the halyard and winch are for the headsail.
When I released the line and nothing happened it must have been because the sail was furled.
My neighbor 4 boats down has a C-30 and a furling jib but not an extra halyard and winch like mine. I have a spinnaker and he doesn't so that added to my confusion. That's not real hard too do.