[C38] Binding Halyards/Masthead

[Les]

This sounds like something has snagged the halyard.  With no load, the
halyard would normally just slide over the sheave.  You may have
something lodged inside the mast.  And for it to be both halyards is
really weird.  Do they by any chance move in tandem?  If you hold the
jib sheet and pull the main shackle, does the jib halyard try to move
with it?  Are they wire to rope?  If you are using wire to rope
halyards, and this is the case, one may have fishooked and grabbed the
other.

Regards,
Les H
On Sat, 2008-07-05 at 09:52 -0400, Russ and Karleen Duff wrote:
> Thanks for the replies.  The only thing I see that is a problem is
> that the halyards aren’t just difficult to move, they WON’T move.
> Actually, the main halyard will move a few feet if I use the winch,
> but then it takes all my weight to pull it down, and the jib halyard
> won’t move at all. Does this shed any light on things? 
> 
>  
> 
> Sincerely,
> Russ Duff
> Catalina 38, Hull #112
> "AVANTURA"
> Lake Erie
> Grosse Ile, Michigan
> 
> AVANTURA AT COMCAST DOT NET
> 
> 
>                                    
> ______________________________________________________________________
> From: listserve-bounces at catalina38.org
> [mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org] On Behalf Of Tom T.
> Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2008 8:59 AM
> To: Catalina 38 Listserve
> Subject: Re: [C38] Binding Halyards/Masthead
> 
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> 
> Hello Russ,
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> Servicing the sheaves on our masts is difficult to do unless the mast
> is unstepped.  Our masthead is welded captive to the mast and cannot
> be removed so the sheaves have to be serviced with the masthead in
> place.
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> When I unstepped my mast a few years ago, I found that one of my
> masthead sheaves was different from the rest.  Then I found the
> original matching sheave in the mast step where it had dropped from an
> earlier repair attempt from a previous owner.
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> Our masthead sheaves are secured by a gate on the side of the masthead
> held by tapped screws.  Once the plate is removed, it's easy to remove
> the sheave pin but doing so will allow the sheave to drop to the
> bottom of the mast if you don't secure it properly.
> 
> 
> I think the only way to safely service the sheaves with the mast up is
> to remove one halyard at a time and service one sheave at a time
> without the load of the halyard on it.  You could then easily use wire
> or string to secure the unloaded sheave to remove it from the
> masthead.  I had an easier job because my mast was down laying on saw
> horses but I did envision doing this procedure with the mast stepped
> and believe it is possible.
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> I used marine trailer axle grease on my sheave pin.  I had tried WD40
> and even PB Blaster when the mast was up but they were only of limited
> success.  By completely removing the sheaves and pins, polishing any
> corrosion off and then greasing with a waterproof grease has made my
> halyards work very smooth and easy.
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> I had limited time when my mast was down but if I had more time, I
> would have drilled my sheave pins and installed grease fittings so
> future service could be done easily without any disassembly of the
> masthead.
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> It's been several years since I serviced my masthead so I hope my
> memory is serving me right with this advice.
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> Good luck,
> 
> 
> Tom Troncalli
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
>         ----- Original Message ----- 
>         
>         
>         From: Russ and Karleen Duff 
>         
>         
>         To:Catalina 38 Listserve
>         
>         
>         Sent: 7/5/2008 1:36:16 AM 
>         
>         
>         Subject: [C38] Binding Halyards/Masthead
>         
>         
>          
>         
>         
>         I finally got the motor put back together and running, and now
>         I have a problem with my main and jib halyards; they are both
>         badly binding. I have no idea what could be causing this
>         except that either the halyard sheaves are frozen, or maybe
>         one, or both, of the lines have come off-track (they were fine
>         at haul out at the end of the season). I am planning to go up
>         the mast tomorrow to inspect things and hope for an easy fix.
>         If it isnt, and I need to dig deeper inside, how does the
>         masthead come off? Can it be removed with the mast up? I
>         wouldnt think so because arent the fore and aft stays
>         connected to it?  If it cant come off, is there any way to
>         access the sheaves while it is on? This s_cks, I finally get
>         the motor fixed, and now its something else (I guess thats
>         what you get with a 27 year old boat). Any advice would be
>         appreciated. 
>         
>          
>         
>          
>         
>         Sincerely,
>         Russ Duff
>         Catalina 38, Hull #112
>         "AVANTURA"
>         Lake Erie
>         Grosse Ile, Michigan
>         
>         AVANTURA AT COMCAST DOT NET
>         
>         
>          
>           
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