removehtml]I need to replace both sheaves in my ZSpar masthead. The old sheaves are plastic and have started to disenergrate. I purchased replacement aluminum sheaves from Rigrite and already have them. I would prefer to do the job without stepping the mast (I am currently on a mooring ball in Stuart FL). Has anyone accomplished this without stepping the mast and how did you do it? I have a Mastmate and have been to the top several times before. The problem is how to support myself (safely?) at the top while removing the load on the sheaves and its axle.Error: Error: expected [/URL], but found [/removehtml] instead[/removehtml]
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UP AND DOWN
How many halyards do you have and how many sheaves. If you are using your mast mate ladder attached to the main halyard does its sheave share the axle with the head sail sheave. I would bring a bosun chair or a comfortable harness with me up the mast. Once I am at a comfortable working height, I would attach my chair or harness to the mast to carry my weight ande take the weight off the mast-mate ladder and ther halyard. Try using your harness or chair down low so you will know how it will effect your functioning. When I used my Mast-mate I always wore my harness. I have also seen people bring there boat up to a low bridge carefully and work from the bridge. Good luck.
How many halyards do you have and how many sheaves. If you are using your mast mate ladder attached to the main halyard does its sheave share the axle with the head sail sheave. I would bring a bosun chair or a comfortable harness with me up the mast. Once I am at a comfortable working height, I would attach my chair or harness to the mast to carry my weight ande take the weight off the mast-mate ladder and ther halyard. Try using your harness or chair down low so you will know how it will effect your functioning. When I used my Mast-mate I always wore my harness. I have also seen people bring there boat up to a low bridge carefully and work from the bridge. Good luck.
Dick
You can make a short bridle for your harness that you can rig across the top of the masthead. This will allow you to take all load off the main halyard. Then you just need to slide the axle out and replace the sheave. BTW if you still have a topping lift you will need to ease that also.
You can make a short bridle for your harness that you can rig across the top of the masthead. This will allow you to take all load off the main halyard. Then you just need to slide the axle out and replace the sheave. BTW if you still have a topping lift you will need to ease that also.
My Thought Too!
The masthead only has two halyards. These are the main halyard and the topping lift halyard. Both sheaves for these halyards ride on the same axle. Since the rig is fractional, the jib halyard exits the mast well below the masthead. Axcess to the axle is accomplished by removing the masthead cap. I have a comfortable bosuns chair and have been thinking of climbing the Mastmate, pulling the bosuns chair up, putting it on and attaching it to the masthead somehow. The "somehow" is the question to be answered. Once this is accomplished, there would be no weight on either halyard and the sheaves. I was just trying to see if someone had done this before. Thanks for your response.
The masthead only has two halyards. These are the main halyard and the topping lift halyard. Both sheaves for these halyards ride on the same axle. Since the rig is fractional, the jib halyard exits the mast well below the masthead. Axcess to the axle is accomplished by removing the masthead cap. I have a comfortable bosuns chair and have been thinking of climbing the Mastmate, pulling the bosuns chair up, putting it on and attaching it to the masthead somehow. The "somehow" is the question to be answered. Once this is accomplished, there would be no weight on either halyard and the sheaves. I was just trying to see if someone had done this before. Thanks for your response.
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