I accidentally bought an extra ball bearing sheave for my masthead. The first one is being used for the main. I have three other lines. I assume that they are for the genoa, spinnaker, dutchman and reefing. The genoa stays on all season. What would you use the extra sheave for?
Which halyard to use extra sheave for?
- Thread starter Project_Mayhem
- Start date
Assuming you mean replacing an existing sheave, and assuming the sheave is the correct size, I'd replace the genoa if not a roller furl. If it is on a furler, then I'd replace the spinnaker.
But first, I'd test all of the sheaves to make sure that none of them need replacing, and this just becomes an "upgrade".
Mark
But first, I'd test all of the sheaves to make sure that none of them need replacing, and this just becomes an "upgrade".
Mark
Replace the one that is in the worst condition.
If they are all pretty good, as Mark says, go for the spin halyard.
The balls should make raising it faster. Woopee!!
PS, How does your reefing go to the masthead?
Or is the sheave suitable to fit elsewhere besides the masthead?
Gary
If they are all pretty good, as Mark says, go for the spin halyard.
The balls should make raising it faster. Woopee!!
PS, How does your reefing go to the masthead?
Or is the sheave suitable to fit elsewhere besides the masthead?
Gary
I use the aft spare bb sheave as an adjustable topping lift. I keep the boom a little high while in the slip or anchored. I leave it high while to eliminate the weight of the boom when raising the main. Then slack it was the main is up. I take up the slack when lowering the main.
I have the two points marked on the topping lift line to make it easy.
I don't care for a dutchman system and my reefing system has it's own cheek blocks on the side of the mast.
I have the two points marked on the topping lift line to make it easy.
I don't care for a dutchman system and my reefing system has it's own cheek blocks on the side of the mast.
Typically the spinnaker is on a block hung from a crane at the masthead. This helps prevent the halyard from jumping a sheave as the sail oscillates.
It is common for masts to have 2 jib halyards or sheaves for them. Back in the day before roller furling became common, the two halyards would allow for faster and easier headsail changes.
I would be surprised if Catalina included a sheave for a Dutchman system, not saying they didn't, just wouldn't expect it.
I'd put the sheave on the jib halyard. The loads on the topping lift aren't all that great and the movement is small. Even though the jib only goes up once a year, making it easier will be appreciated and if for some reason the sail needs to come down in a blow, the ball bearing sheave will make that job easier and safer.
It is common for masts to have 2 jib halyards or sheaves for them. Back in the day before roller furling became common, the two halyards would allow for faster and easier headsail changes.
I would be surprised if Catalina included a sheave for a Dutchman system, not saying they didn't, just wouldn't expect it.
I'd put the sheave on the jib halyard. The loads on the topping lift aren't all that great and the movement is small. Even though the jib only goes up once a year, making it easier will be appreciated and if for some reason the sail needs to come down in a blow, the ball bearing sheave will make that job easier and safer.
Trade it in for a swivel block and rig a proper spinnaker halyard. The two forward facing sheaves, which are built into the masthead fitting and exit below/inside the forestay, are not suitable for spinnaker flying. You want a ball bearing, swivel block mounted on the hole ahead os the the forestay connection. Even better is an extension that fits neatly on the front of the fitting that puts the spinnaker halyard block even farther forward, allowing plenty of room for a bunched up dousing sock and halyard to move freely side to side.
The aft facing sheave, next to the mainsail halyard can be used for a number of things, or it can be totally unnecessary. What do you use it for now? Not a lot I'm guessing, unless you have a boom topping lift (which you'll learn to hate.) A second foredeck facing halyard ----jig/genoa halyard--- on the other hand, has a lot of uses.
The aft facing sheave, next to the mainsail halyard can be used for a number of things, or it can be totally unnecessary. What do you use it for now? Not a lot I'm guessing, unless you have a boom topping lift (which you'll learn to hate.) A second foredeck facing halyard ----jig/genoa halyard--- on the other hand, has a lot of uses.
I bought the boat with the mast down so I was taking a guess at what the halyards are for based off of what was written on the clutches.
@Joe Right now the sheave serves to taunt and remind me that I'm not sailing!
@dlochner The C30 MK3 actually came with a dutchman system. I'm not sure on it's configuration as I've been busy with other projects. I have a feeling my bosun's chair is going to get some use this season
@Ward H Does the C30 normally have a dedicated topping lift aside from the spare halyard?
@Joe Right now the sheave serves to taunt and remind me that I'm not sailing!
@dlochner The C30 MK3 actually came with a dutchman system. I'm not sure on it's configuration as I've been busy with other projects. I have a feeling my bosun's chair is going to get some use this season
@Ward H Does the C30 normally have a dedicated topping lift aside from the spare halyard?
I'm not sure about a dedicated topping lift but my 93 did not have a spare aft halyard. It did have a block shackled to one of the masthead pins and that line had remnants of a Dutchman system attached to it that was acting as a topping lift.
I've seen other boats that appeared to have the same small block mounted the same way at the masthead. The line ran down to wire with an eye that then attached to the boom and there was jam cleat involved to made it an adjustable topping lift.
My masthead only had 3 sheaves installed, 1 aft and 2 forward, leaving a space for a 4th sheave.
I installed 4 BB sheaves and ran halyards over each while the mast was down.
The spare jib halyard see's little use but is there if I need it. I have use it for lifting gear and wrapping the Genoa in prep for a storm.
I like the adjustable topping lift and while I've considered replacing it with a rigged boom vang the adjustable TL works well for me. If it was a fixed TL, I'd replace it in a minute.
The pic is of my masthead after installing a new anchor light.You can see where the small block is attached.
The close up shows I crack I then noticed so I bought a new masthead casting.
That is when I replaced the sheaves and made some other modifications.
I think you have all the advice you need. But I can't help myself!
I have a MK III.
The starboard aft halyard is my main Halyard.
The port aft halyard is my adjustable topping lift.
The port forward halyard is my jib halyard.
The starboard forward halyard is a spare for the jib, topping lift for whisker pole, and hoist for dinghy (without motor or anything else) off of and back onto the deck.
I have also installed a masthead spinnaker crane and block. That halyard runs outside the mast and is cleated at the mast. Since I single hand a lot I actually find that to be pretty convenient for hoisting and dousing the spinnaker in its sock.
After a lot of thought, I ran both starboard halyards out of the base of the mast on the starboard side. And the port halyards out of the port side of the mast.
I have a MK III.
The starboard aft halyard is my main Halyard.
The port aft halyard is my adjustable topping lift.
The port forward halyard is my jib halyard.
The starboard forward halyard is a spare for the jib, topping lift for whisker pole, and hoist for dinghy (without motor or anything else) off of and back onto the deck.
I have also installed a masthead spinnaker crane and block. That halyard runs outside the mast and is cleated at the mast. Since I single hand a lot I actually find that to be pretty convenient for hoisting and dousing the spinnaker in its sock.
After a lot of thought, I ran both starboard halyards out of the base of the mast on the starboard side. And the port halyards out of the port side of the mast.
I think I will put the spare ball bearing sheave on the front. I have a spinnaker with sock that I'd love to try to use. There's an attachment on the front of the mast, 2-3' below the spreaders. Do you know if this is to hold up a spinnaker pole?
Most likely that's where it was in my '77.
As another poster mentioned it's tough to fly a spinnaker from the spare halyard line. I did it a couple of times to try out the used asymmetrical spinnaker I bought.
But it's really a hassle. A good bearing for your jib, even though you may only use it a couple of times a year is a plus. Best of luck!