Replacing Mast Head Sheaves on a 310

[KenK13623]

I am most likely will have to replace my Jib halyward sheave and since I will have to drop the mast to do this, I will also replace the Main sheave. Does anyone have any tips, suggestion or instructions? I have never done this before so want to do it correctly since it involves dropping the mast.

Thanks Ken

 

[shemandr]

Is this a DIY scenario or are you going to have a professional take the mast down? If the former I do Rx going with the professionals. People and gear can get hurt while taking a mast down. You should have insurance coverage for that event.
If you're asking about what to do while the mast is down there are a number of suggestions. Replace the wiring for the mast head lights, the VHF antenna and the mid-mast steaming light and spreader lights. Put an AIS antenna on the masthead. Replace the wind sensor and windex if either exists. Replace all sheaves and exit block sheaves for spinnaker or jib if they are not on the masthead. Consider replacing the standing rigging. Put a camera aimed at the windex to go to a cockpit display. I'm sure others will have additional suggestions.
At a boat yard I used to frequent the manager would complain that they didn't make enough money on sailboats. My response was that the fees to take the mast down were too high. They discouraged sailboat owners from dropping the mast and there is a lot of work to do while the mast is down. I wasn't listened to, which I am used to.

 

[jssailem]

I am a with @shemandr about refitting the mast while it is down. You may even want to have the shrouds and stays replaced. Your boat is in the South, with plenty of exposure to the elements. Your rigging could be 24 years old unless you know it has been replaced. If the rigging is of unknown age or OEM, it is time to replace the standing rigging. This will likely be a one-time thing for you. I suggest you enlist the help of a rigger so that you get it right the first time, and the rigger can help you tune the rig when you raise the mast.

Good luck.

 

[KenK13623]

Sorry for the slow response. Thanks to both for the response. Unfortunately, there is not a proper boat yard where I am located. Am on a lake just north of San Antonio. So it will be a DIY project. However, there is help from the yacht club grounds and maint staff who do this with other members. The club has equipment to demast so quite a few other members do this on a regular basis. Not sure that I'll replace the standing rigging but will look to replace wiring, etc while down. To be honest, we have no idea when the boat will go back in the water. Mine as well as everyone else in a slip is either pulled out or will be pulled out as the lake is at 50% and dropping still. Record breaking water levels now. Need a couple major rainstorms or a hurricane to fill it back up at this point.

 

[jssailem]

Just need a short monsoon season like the old days.

 

[DianaOfBurlington]

Don’t forget to change all the bulbs to LEDs. Change all the cotter pins and lube everything with Tef-Gel.

Add to your iPhone calendar that you will do this mast-takedown job again in spring 2028.