| Sheave Issues |
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I purchased all new halyards from Layline in order to replace the wire/rope spliced halyards that were on the boat when I
purchased it. The jib and spinnaker halyards were changed with no problems. However, something with the main halyard
is really giving me a headache. Layline sent me a 5/16" halyard made from Warpseed, which is a high-quality, low-stretch
line with a Dyneema core.
When we tried to hoist the main for the first time with the new halyard, the halyard jammed when the head of the sail was
about even with the spreaders. It went up easy enough to that point and it freed itself easily enough when we pulled the
sail back down. However, no amount of effort would fully hoist the sail.
After a number of attempts, we noticed the cover damage, which actually occurred in two spots about 12" apart (photos
below). I don't think it occurred simultaneously; I'm almost certain that whatever caused the extreme chafing occurred
from the same source and the two damage spots are the result of the multiple attempts.
Oddly, the halyard seems to run fine even when there is a load put on it. However, there's not much else up there, so I
can't imagine that it's anything other than a bad sheave. The line is brand new Warpspeed and it seems unlikely that's
the source of the problem.
Just the same, I'm reluctant to go up there in a chair with a damaged halyard and an unknown problem source. The
nearest safety line is a spin or jib halyard, so I or whoever went up would be taking an unnecessary risk. There is no
boom topping lift.
There are rigging ladders at both SYC and NOYC in New Orleans, but they aren't tall enough for the J/30's 47'6" height
above the water. I ordered new sheaves from Layline today and, as I can't go up in a bosun's chair, I think I have three
options:
1. Use the yacht club rigging ladders by tying off the jib halyards to the ladder and tilting the boat for access to the
masthead crane and sheaves.
2. Pay a yard to send someone up with their crane. This is, on the surface, an attractive idea. However, as the problem
isn't fully known, the costs could escalate quickly if they have to make multiple trips. Plus, I won't be able to see for myself
what the problem is.
3. Pay a yard to unstep the mast. This is expensive and the dollars for this are no longer in the boat bucks account. It's
attractive as I could thoroughly inspect everything, change lightbulbs, clean the mast step, etc., but it would really hurt to
cough up those dollars at this time. Boats are expensive...
4. New option - rent a boom crane. It will cost about $200 but it will likely be the best solution.
purchased it. The jib and spinnaker halyards were changed with no problems. However, something with the main halyard
is really giving me a headache. Layline sent me a 5/16" halyard made from Warpseed, which is a high-quality, low-stretch
line with a Dyneema core.
When we tried to hoist the main for the first time with the new halyard, the halyard jammed when the head of the sail was
about even with the spreaders. It went up easy enough to that point and it freed itself easily enough when we pulled the
sail back down. However, no amount of effort would fully hoist the sail.
After a number of attempts, we noticed the cover damage, which actually occurred in two spots about 12" apart (photos
below). I don't think it occurred simultaneously; I'm almost certain that whatever caused the extreme chafing occurred
from the same source and the two damage spots are the result of the multiple attempts.
Oddly, the halyard seems to run fine even when there is a load put on it. However, there's not much else up there, so I
can't imagine that it's anything other than a bad sheave. The line is brand new Warpspeed and it seems unlikely that's
the source of the problem.
Just the same, I'm reluctant to go up there in a chair with a damaged halyard and an unknown problem source. The
nearest safety line is a spin or jib halyard, so I or whoever went up would be taking an unnecessary risk. There is no
boom topping lift.
There are rigging ladders at both SYC and NOYC in New Orleans, but they aren't tall enough for the J/30's 47'6" height
above the water. I ordered new sheaves from Layline today and, as I can't go up in a bosun's chair, I think I have three
options:
1. Use the yacht club rigging ladders by tying off the jib halyards to the ladder and tilting the boat for access to the
masthead crane and sheaves.
2. Pay a yard to send someone up with their crane. This is, on the surface, an attractive idea. However, as the problem
isn't fully known, the costs could escalate quickly if they have to make multiple trips. Plus, I won't be able to see for myself
what the problem is.
3. Pay a yard to unstep the mast. This is expensive and the dollars for this are no longer in the boat bucks account. It's
attractive as I could thoroughly inspect everything, change lightbulbs, clean the mast step, etc., but it would really hurt to
cough up those dollars at this time. Boats are expensive...
4. New option - rent a boom crane. It will cost about $200 but it will likely be the best solution.
________________________________________________________________________
August 7, 2007 update
The photos below are from another J/30 mast that I inspected today to see how the main halyard
sheaves are configured on the J/30. There are actually two sheaves. One is easily accessed on the
mast crane and held in place with a clevis pin. The other is inside the mast and impossible to access
with removing a coverplate on the top of the mast. There is an aluminum housing that runs the width
of the mast interior fore and aft. Inside the housing is the sheave, also held in place with a clevis pin. It
cannot be accessed from the top or sides. Rather, it will have to be removed and replaced from the
underside of the housing. This will be difficult from 47'6" in the air - mainly because the mast will be
vertical and an ounce of clumsiness (and I've got tons) will send pieces all the way down the mast.
Some pictures are below. Again, this is not my mast, just one I inspected.
August 7, 2007 update
The photos below are from another J/30 mast that I inspected today to see how the main halyard
sheaves are configured on the J/30. There are actually two sheaves. One is easily accessed on the
mast crane and held in place with a clevis pin. The other is inside the mast and impossible to access
with removing a coverplate on the top of the mast. There is an aluminum housing that runs the width
of the mast interior fore and aft. Inside the housing is the sheave, also held in place with a clevis pin. It
cannot be accessed from the top or sides. Rather, it will have to be removed and replaced from the
underside of the housing. This will be difficult from 47'6" in the air - mainly because the mast will be
vertical and an ounce of clumsiness (and I've got tons) will send pieces all the way down the mast.
Some pictures are below. Again, this is not my mast, just one I inspected.
________________________________________________________________________
August 10, 2007 update
It looks like I'll have to drop the rig. I tried sending a friend up in a chair yesterday and the halyard
jammed when he was just a few feet up. I don't want to spend the money on pulling the rig, but I think
the area needs a thorough inspection and I don't want to rent a boom truck just to find out that the rig
needs to come down anyway.
This will allow me to do a thorough inspection of the rig, mast step, etc., so I plan to make it
worthwhile. The rig comes down at 7:00 tomorrow morning.
August 10, 2007 update
It looks like I'll have to drop the rig. I tried sending a friend up in a chair yesterday and the halyard
jammed when he was just a few feet up. I don't want to spend the money on pulling the rig, but I think
the area needs a thorough inspection and I don't want to rent a boom truck just to find out that the rig
needs to come down anyway.
This will allow me to do a thorough inspection of the rig, mast step, etc., so I plan to make it
worthwhile. The rig comes down at 7:00 tomorrow morning.
________________________________________________________________________
August 11, 2007 update
The rig came down (with the help of a crane). It was a full day, so the details are on a separate page.
To go there, click here or follow the link below.
Mast Unstepping
August 11, 2007 update
The rig came down (with the help of a crane). It was a full day, so the details are on a separate page.
To go there, click here or follow the link below.
Mast Unstepping