Top of the mast

[CapT]

We went for a sail last weekend and ran into trouble taking down the main on our Hunter 40. After we finally got it down we found that the main halyard would no longer run freely up and down the mast. I went up to the top to examine the rollers and see if the halyard was jammed. The rollers appeared to turn freely, but the halyard was still not running free. After we ran it all the way down to the deck to see if there was any damage, there appeared to be none, but the halyard kinked and twisted all the way up. I know that I will have to replace the halyard, but I also found that the sides of the rollers were cracking and I think this may have contributed to the halyard failing. I looked at the rollers and see no apparent way to get at them from the outside of the mast. I think there is a top plate that can be removed without dropping the rig, but I'm not sure. My question is if the plate can be removed will that allow access to replacing the rollers. If it will does anyone know what size would be required? I've found a web site that sells the parts, but not the knowledge.

Thanks

 

[Brian M H23]

Coil

Do you coil your halayrd once the sail is raised? improper coiling of the halyard can cause it to become hockled and twisted when the core and the outside get twisted with respect to one another.

 

[CapT]

do coil

Usually do coil it to get it out of the way, but I don't think it would be tight enough to twist it.

 

[Steve O.]

mast down

I would replace the sheaves with mast down if possible. It can be done from a bosun chair, but if you drop something, it's back down the mast and back up. Aslo, dropping a tool from the masthead can hurt your boat or your crew.