What are these mast parts for?

Status
Not open for further replies.
K

kirbyc1goo

.
Apr 5, 2010
33
Helsen Helsen Moncks Corner,SC
Hi, i have a 22' 1974 Helsen that was given to me. I havent sailed these bigger boats before which is why I am having problems figuring out exactly what some of these parts do. So if someone could take a look at this youtube video I took with my phone (sorry for the quality) and tell me what they are called and what they do, I would really appreciate it.:confused:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f035GmL2k0
 
sailingdog

sailingdog

.
Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
Those look like flag halyards, but the video quality is so crappy that it is hard to tell. You would have been better off taking still photos of them.
 
cephius (Dave)

cephius (Dave)

.
May 25, 2004
958
Hunter 260 Pepin, WI
Kirby,
The ones attached to the spreader are diffidently flag halyards. I know because I still hoist messages using the International Signal Code. Most put their pirate, cocktail, and club flags on those.

Since the one to the mast head cleats on the shrouds I suspect it is a flag halyard too. Possible for the national flag. We use to hoist a flag and pole to the mast top like that. The pole allowed the flag to fly above all obstacles. There's an old school method to hoist a pole up a halyard.

The weight of the line from the shrouds and the clips may have been used by race officials hoisting start signals. They are much heaver that is needed for flags on that size boat.
 
cephius (Dave)

cephius (Dave)

.
May 25, 2004
958
Hunter 260 Pepin, WI
Ok, Now the line from the mast head looks like a topping lift, or possibly the main halyard.

That is the oddest looking cleat I've seen for a while.
 
P

PeteK

.
Nov 3, 2008
30
Clipper CM4/c Nordland, WA
That's your standard, everyday, shroud cleat! Three or four rigging outfits make 'em.

Handy little buggers.

And Dave, that pole you speak of used to be called a 'pig stick'. I have nooooo idea why.

Pete
 
K

kirbyc1goo

.
Apr 5, 2010
33
Helsen Helsen Moncks Corner,SC
Ok well I think I finally have it figured out. The wire line is the main halyard, the owner before me just attached it to this cleat for storage purposes. The same goes for the jib halyard on the other side. I believe these cleats are for the rope flag halyards shown in the video.

Thanks for all your help fellas
 
Joe

Joe

.
Jun 1, 2004
8,161
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
Shroud cleat. very handy. commonly use to tie off flag halyards, but handy place to hook main halyard when not in use.

The big picture shows a halyard shackle... if it runs to the mast head. I'm not sure if a boat that size would use a topping lift for the boom.. we would need to take a closer look.

The spreader shot is a flag halyard. Do not raise the national ensign on the flag halyard. Nor should it be flown at the top of the mast on the "pig stick" which is for displaying yacht club burgees, or perhaps a class flag. You will have no need for the pigstick until you at least learn to identify the other rigging parts without help.

The National Ensign... (our american flag) should always be flown from the place of honor on a yacht... that would be the STERN. Either from a flagstaff on the stern rail or from the aftermost part of the rigging.... 2/3 up the backstay is acceptable on a marconi rig (sloop)... a gaff rigged boat uses the trailing end of the yardarm.
 
sinnettc

sinnettc

.
May 23, 2007
1,306
Catalina Capri 22 Albany, Oregon
How's that generally rigged?

Joe said:
The National Ensign... (our american flag) should always be flown from the place of honor on a yacht... that would be the STERN. Either from a flagstaff on the stern rail or from the aftermost part of the rigging.... 2/3 up the backstay is acceptable on a marconi rig (sloop)... a gaff rigged boat uses the trailing end of the yardarm.
Click to expand
How do folks usually setup for an ensign on the backstay? Extra block at the top of the mast near the backstay and a downhaul at the stern?
 
sailingdog

sailingdog

.
Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
More typically is a block seized to the backstay and a flag halyard running along the backstay to a shroud cleat down near the cockpit. This is because no flags should ever go up the backstay more than 2/3's of the way—unless you're dressing ship...but then you'd be running a separate halyard for all the flags then usually.

sinnettc said:
How do folks usually setup for an ensign on the backstay? Extra block at the top of the mast near the backstay and a downhaul at the stern?
Click to expand
 
K

kirbyc1goo

.
Apr 5, 2010
33
Helsen Helsen Moncks Corner,SC
In response to Rbone's question, here are a couple of pictures. The previous owner had it stored at The Citadel in Charleston, SC for about 8 years with no use. It had filled with somewhere around 120 gallons of water (shopvac measured) as you can see from the water line in the picture. It was quite nasty to say the least. I pulled all the wood bulk heads out along with the wood jack post and replaced it with a steel one I made to try and get rid of any remaning mold the bleach didnt take care of.

This boat has been a huge learning process. Ive had to clean the winches, clean and fix the keel winch, get the keel unfrozen from the up position, replace the pop top's supports with stainless tubing. I'll still probably have to fix the wiring, get it rigged, build a companion way door,and maybe some misc fiberglass repair. Ill also have to figure out a way I can make a 25' catalina sail work on this boat (it was also free)









 
Joe

Joe

.
Jun 1, 2004
8,161
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
sinnettc said:
How do folks usually setup for an ensign on the backstay? Extra block at the top of the mast near the backstay and a downhaul at the stern?
Click to expand
Here's a kit you can buy for the backstay flag halyard. http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|5948|62629|63025&id=166812

Or you can match up the parts yourself to try and save a few bucks.

On my boat I wasn't able to get 2/3 up the backstay... so I clamped the little block as high as I could, about 10-12 feet. So far I haven't been arrested or whined at.. but there's still a good chance some anal idiot will comment. At least I follow protocol by flying during daylight hours only, and never leave it up when I'm away from the boat.

If you familiarize yourself with some flag etiquette you'll understand the meaning of "flagship" "flag officer" "commission pennants" etc. It's cool stuff to know and it will make you want to carry on our country's great nautical tradition.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maritime_flag
 
sailingdog

sailingdog

.
Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
Getting rid of the mold is pretty easy...spray it all down with KO. It will take care of it. That centerboard/swing keel looks pretty heavily rusted, and that will be a bear to fix. First, steel expands about 10% as it corrodes, and that's probably why the swing keel is jammed. Second, depending on how rusty it is, you may need to replace it to get the boat's ballast back to where it should be.
 
cephius (Dave)

cephius (Dave)

.
May 25, 2004
958
Hunter 260 Pepin, WI
US Ensign

Since the H260 has no backstay, and a large roach, my ensign attaches directly to the main sail. I use a pole on the stern for the ensign when under power alone.

From your photos it looks like the boat is worth saving. I would recommend replacing the swing keel also.

A sail maker can reshape the main. There is also a good market in used sails. You may be able to find the correct main for low cost.
 

Attachments

D

Diamondjet

.
Feb 5, 2010
47
Hunter Legend 35.5 Fort Pierce, FL
Sailingdog or anyone else........what is 'KO' that you refer to for cleaning up mold??
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top Bottom