RF Main Halyard coming out of the Mast Slot after winter outside storage

[CABixler]

Had a strange first time in 15 years issue yesterday on my B331
Winter outdoor storage on the hard in Chicago. Went down to the yard to put the sails on. When I did my main my son was doing the wenching and I was doing the feeding into the track on the foil (with the US Spars In mast roller furling system) and at only about 12' up it jammed night as a rock. So we stopped and I pulled the main down figuring I missed early and the luff rope was jammed.

Had a hard time pulling down but the realized looking up my main halyard actually had a 4-6' section OUTSIDE the mast slot/track? The halyard is much wider then the plastic slot in the mast so I have absolutely no idea how it came out?? As the main was raised about the 10-12" the section of halyard just got tighter and tighter.

I got it finally free somehow but just curious if anyone ever had this?

 

[Davidasailor26]

I’ve had the halyard come out of the slot during the winter, but in my case (also a US Spars mast) the halyard is small enough to not jam there. I wonder if your halyard was replaced at some point and went up a size?

Over the winter I usually tie a spare line to the bottom of the top swivel, and pull the swivel about half way up the mast. For me that helps reduce the noise from the banging of the foil inside the mast. But it might be worth trying for you, because it might reduce the chances of the halyard coming out again.

 

[CABixler]

[

Over the winter I usually tie a spare line to the bottom of the top swivel, and pull the swivel about half way up the mast. For me that helps reduce the noise from the banging of the foil inside the mast. But it might be worth trying for you, because it might reduce the chances of the halyard coming out again.
[/QUOTE]

I like that idea! I really think it's because I usually tie the swivel and pull tight. I like the half way idea. We have had wicked winds over the winter and there must be some crazy forces that pulled it out. Never happened in 15 years...Thanks for the reply.

 

[CABixler]

[

Over the winter I usually tie a spare line to the bottom of the top swivel, and pull the swivel about half way up the mast. For me that helps reduce the noise from the banging of the foil inside the mast. But it might be worth trying for you, because it might reduce the chances of the halyard coming out again.

I like that idea! I really think it's because I usually tie the swivel and pull tight. I like the half way idea. We have had wicked winds over the winter and there must be some crazy forces that pulled it out. Never happened in 15 years...Thanks for the reply.
[/QUOTE]
Replying to my own message:
Updated info. Talked to a VERY helpful 331 owner in my yard and he was spot on with some answers. His 331 the halyard is slightly narrower than his mast track but pointed out to me the aft rake of the mast above the spreaders. So a straight line from the top sheave to the bottom actually slightly rearward. I must have did the opposite of this year making TOO tight thus forcing the halyard to jam. Anyway he also suggest pulling my lines with messengers which I think I will try.