I am having problems with my mainsheet halyard. It becoming increasingly harder to raise and lower the mainsail. There is also some type of black oil or grease rubbing off on the new halyard. I think that it is the sheave at the top of the mast. Also, the steaming light isn't working and the wind vien is busted. I think my boat is telling me that maintenance is needed at the top of the mast. I purchased this boat from a local marina owner. He stated that he never sailed much and always talked about how much he could get it to heel (Only with the mainsail!). So the 26.5 was mainly moored unattended for 18 yrs; with occasional abuse.*o It was fair shape but I couldn't pass the price up. I would like to fix the mast head problems without lowering the mast. I have some friends that are close desendants to the spider monkey, so finding a willing candidate to go up is not the issue. I can't figure out how to have the monkey tie off and release the tension on the sheave to replace it. Lowering the mast is the expensive option. Crane rental is very expensive around here and the marinas will not let the crane on to there sights due to insurance issues. The boat didn't come with a trailer either. If there is any other way to get the mast down I'm all ears.
Masthead problems
- Thread starter Joseph6508
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Mast head work 101
You can indeed unload the halyard once you are aloft. Take two lengths of line with you and after tying a bowline in each for your foot(feet) you can tie off to something substantial on your side of the mast head. Don't forget your safety loop and remember that once you put your foot in the bowline loop it will try to go to the other side of the mast not straight down like you would want. The safety loop will keep you from falling over backward so make sure it is securely fastened to something substantial also. The "something substantial" is the issue as there may or may not be a convenient tie off. This is where all those "rope tricks" that you learned in sailing school come in mighty handy. Can you say pursik?
You can indeed unload the halyard once you are aloft. Take two lengths of line with you and after tying a bowline in each for your foot(feet) you can tie off to something substantial on your side of the mast head. Don't forget your safety loop and remember that once you put your foot in the bowline loop it will try to go to the other side of the mast not straight down like you would want. The safety loop will keep you from falling over backward so make sure it is securely fastened to something substantial also. The "something substantial" is the issue as there may or may not be a convenient tie off. This is where all those "rope tricks" that you learned in sailing school come in mighty handy. Can you say pursik?
mast head work 102
Tie the prusik knot around the mast once you are at the top not the halyard as that would not unload the halyard which was the whole point. ;-)
Tie the prusik knot around the mast once you are at the top not the halyard as that would not unload the halyard which was the whole point. ;-)
THANK YOU BILL...
Thanks Bill for the knot refresher. I guess I wasn't thinking out of the box. I was dreading the replies of being alot of mast lowering responses. My friend thats climbing the mast is also very profishent at knots. Have you ever lowered the mast on your 26.5 without a crane. I am willing to take mast lowering 101 next semester if there are seats still available. If not, thanks anyway for the knowledge. I'll report the results of the sheave replacement next month when it warms up some more.
Thanks Bill for the knot refresher. I guess I wasn't thinking out of the box. I was dreading the replies of being alot of mast lowering responses. My friend thats climbing the mast is also very profishent at knots. Have you ever lowered the mast on your 26.5 without a crane. I am willing to take mast lowering 101 next semester if there are seats still available. If not, thanks anyway for the knowledge. I'll report the results of the sheave replacement next month when it warms up some more.
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