Pulling in new spinnaker halyard . . . .

[Clark]

I have a 1996 H280 with Z-Spar mast and would like to install a spinnaker halyard. There isn't an old one there now to use as a pull line. I had just about decided that I'd somehow (don't know just how yet) make my way up the mast to the existing spinnaker sheave (fixed and about 2' above the forestay), drop a fishing line with small lead weights on the end over the sheave and down inside the mast and have someone grap it through the mast exit. I checked yeaterday and that exit slot is about 7' above the deck. Am I headed in the right direction with this or do I need to consider a different way to install a new spinnaker halyard?

 

[Del Wiese]

try this

I ran a spinnaker pole toping lift by tying a short (8-10 inches) piece of small chain (make sure it is magnetic) to the end of a light line. Lowered the line and fished it out at the bottom of the mast with a magnet on the end of a springy handle, the kind sold to fish things out of inaccessible places. Worked great!

 

[Clark]

Thanks Del. I hadn't thought about a magnetic

weight. Makes a lot of sense. I'm not sure when I'll be attempting this but I'll post here with a report.

 

[Alan]

My method...

...when I ran a new spin halyard. A few lead pellets, the kind fly fishermen use, attached to fishing line and dropped down the mast. Have someone at the exit plate with a small hook made from a coat hanger grab the line. You can easily hear where the pellets are as they descend down the mast.