I am wondering if there is a way of adding another sheave at the masthead to gain the security of a second halyard without changing the entire masthead assembly? My mast is down and I can work on it. I am unable to access the archives anymore as well.
Thanks in advance.
John Ferrero
Nonsuch 30 Ultra #297
Northport, NY
I thought there was a way to add a cheek block externally (capable of high load) and just use as a flag halyard until you needed seconded halyard for climbing. The you would use light line as a messenger to haul up heavier.
It is my belief that some boats came that way. Mine, however, has just one - like yours. I don’t remember if there is room to add another.
Joe Valinoti
S/V IL Gatto NS30U #221 (1984)
Sea Harbour Yacht Club
Oriental, NC
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My masthead has a ¼" stainless steel plate bolted to the top of it. This plate extends past the right side of the mast. I have a u-bolt fastened through the plate at this point with a block attached to it. I keep a messenger line through it when not in use. Seems to be a good solution. My wind instruments, antenna, etc are all fastened to the plate. I don't think I would use it to hoist someone up the mast but for an emergency second halyard it does the trick.
Jamie Morrison
Dexterity II
30U 225
Halifax, Nova Scotia
I changed the truck with a new one that had two sheaves, from Klacko Spars in Oakville ON +1 (905) 825-0015, in 2007. It wasn’t too expensive and the exit for the spare halyard is on the starboard side of the mast.
Ray & Vida Barrick
MERCATOR 30C 208
Toronto ON Canada
My mast came with a second sheave about 4 inches below the main halyard. The main halyard and the topping lift share a common pin, the back-up halyard has it’s own.
I have two exit blocks on the port side of the mast and two blocks on the port side of the collar. It all looks factory to me. I keep the second halyard secured to the pulpit. As a result I have 4 lines port and starboard back to the cockpit.
Interestingly, the pervious owner occasionally flew a small spinnaker from the spare halyard, I haven’t tried but I still have it.
I also have an external block on the forward face of the masthead for a burgee.
John
NS30U#400
Tauranga, NZ
My boat has two sheaves at the masthead, a block forward like Allen described and another block mounted on the starboard side of the mast. I was thinking of using some high tech line like dynema or Amsteel for the backup halyard but have not tried it yet.
Mike
BIANKA
1986 30U
http://biankablog.blogspot.com
Hi, I had a block attached to the top of the mast and ran a second halyard through it. Took the opportunity when I was replacing the halyard two years ago. Used the old halyard. I now have an emergency but use it more for sun showers and pennants. Experiment with where to tie it off as there’s no natural place for it. Since your mast is down it’s the time to do it. Ron 26U #223
John: For Offshore work, we have 2 oversize cheek blocks thru bolted at the mast head as well as the 2 normal sheaves. (you have to pull the casting in order to install). We also have port and starboard blocks installed on tangs at the mast joint thru bolts. These are for a storm sail halyards so our storm sail can be rigged on either tack. Rather than a separate track installed on the mast, our storm sail has a Kevlar bolt rope which can be made taught. When racing offshore pilot lines are rigged on all external blocks and halyard size material can be rigged at any time. When cruising, we only rig one masthead pilot line for a burgee halyard. Prudence says 2 halyards should always be available. Good idea to add a second.
Regards, Win Sanford, Nonsuch 33, Kitty Hawk