My 1979 Hunter 30 does not have a winch on the mast for the main. I would like to route the mainsheet through a block at the base of the mast to a turning block back to a jamb cleat and winch on the coachroof in front of the cockpit. All of the examples I see use a mast base, which I don't have and don't really want to pull my mast to install. Any reason why I can't simply attach a block to the bottom of the mast?
routing mainsheet to the cockpit
- Thread starter jluke
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Recently similarly routed my vang back to the cockpit. Lacking a mast base on which to mount a block, and needing a flexible position for the block to account for the movement of the boom, I have rigged a short loop of line around the base of the mast to hold a bullet block. This allows the block to move freely regardless of the position of the boom, while maintaining the correct bisecting angle to the cheek block on the deck. I have used line only temporarily to make sure the geometry is correct. Next week will replace w a stainless steel cable w swaged loops closed by a shackle. I did run the line below the main halyard block to ensure it doesn't ride up the mast. Works beautifully!
If you have the same Kenyon mast as I do, and you try to attach a block, or a padeye for a block, directly to the bottom of the mast, you will find it in conflict with the wire raceway behind the sail glide track & cover. Additionally, since you don't want to take the mast down, you will be limited to a drill & tap, threaded connection rather than thru-bolt, which may or may not be adequate for mainsheet loads and would probably require some kind of custom padeye base or bracket to straddle the wire raceway.
I think you have two other options if you don't want to take the mast down to install a mast base:
1. Thru-bolt a standing swivel block to the deck, with adequate backing plate and sealant of course.
2. Thru-bolt a bail to the mast and attach your mainsheet block to that. This might not work if you have a vang attached low on the mast as the mainsheet must be below and clear of the vang.
I suggest you contact Mark at Garhauer and see what he recommends. Whatever the solution, they have the hardware you need, have dealt with this issue many times, and can even custom fabricate a padeye or bracket to fit your mast IF that is appropriate.
I think you have two other options if you don't want to take the mast down to install a mast base:
1. Thru-bolt a standing swivel block to the deck, with adequate backing plate and sealant of course.
2. Thru-bolt a bail to the mast and attach your mainsheet block to that. This might not work if you have a vang attached low on the mast as the mainsheet must be below and clear of the vang.
I suggest you contact Mark at Garhauer and see what he recommends. Whatever the solution, they have the hardware you need, have dealt with this issue many times, and can even custom fabricate a padeye or bracket to fit your mast IF that is appropriate.
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