Ball Bearing Sheave

[Niord]

Where can I get a ball bearing masthead sheave for my main halyard? With increasing age I am finding it harder to hoist the fully battened main to the masthead. The last 2 feet are the hardest and I reckon that the masthead sheave has too much frictiowhen there is any load on the halyard. I am considering making a sheave from stainless bar and fitting a stainless steel ball bearing. Any thoughts?

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[LORDNELSON]

You have my sympathy and interest! I have much the same problem; the main halyard leads back to the cockpit and I have installed ball bearing blocks where they occur along the halyard alignment, which has helped a bit and put in a 16STC winch for completing the last few feet of mainsail haul. However I agree that a reduction of friction at the masthead would be a help and I will watch this post with interest. Good luck!

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[aitchw]

Please accept my apologies if this turns out to be way off the mark but I don't know anything about your boat so am generalising.

By far the biggest source of friction is the bolt rope in the luff groove. Copious amounts of silicon spray on the bolt rope especially towards the head plate done repeatedly over a couple months will leave a coating on the groove and the bolt rope and will make a huge difference in my experience. If you have to step the mast for any reason then a good clean out of the groove much as you would a rifle barrel will make it a lot smoother too. Unless the sheave and pin are badly worn they will not be contributing that much to the problem and a periodic lube should be enough.

Other things I have found can help are raisng the boom above the normal sailing position using the topping lift relieves any tension in the leach as the sail is raised and if the gooseneck is easily adjustable let it slide once the sail is high enough to suupport the boom so there is no luff tension for the final few inches. Use the kicking strap to pull the boom down and lock the gooseneck when headplate is in position.

Don't know what the design of your hallyard sheave block is like but you may be better buying an appropriate standard ball block and vandaise that for the sheave, pin and bearing.

Hope some part of this is relevant.

Howard

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[jerryat]

Hi!
I substantially agree with your comments. Rather than silicon spray, I have used over many years, a candle, cut at the end like a tenon (as in mortise and tenon) and slid up and down the mast groove at the beginning of each season, so that its face and sides are waxed.

It's not my idea. but one I read in PBO many moons ago. I was dubious at first, fearing that it would make a mess of the luff, attract dirt etc, but it really does work in reducing the friction. With something like a 40 foot luff, the sail can be hoisted by hand, via turning blocks etc almost to the top. Handing sail is marvellous - release the clutch and it drops the whole way down.

Worth a try and a lot cheaper!

Good sailing!

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[aitchw]

I have used a candle myself as well as the silicon and can testify to it's effectiveness on the sail. I have found that it is easier to get a coating of spray on the back of the groove than with candle but obviously some wax rubs off the sail there. Either way, the secret is to lube the groove and bolt rope however you do it and I agree, cheap always wins over pricy when equally effective.

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[Talbot]

If you have an in-mast reefing system, you only need to do this once per season /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[MainlySteam]

Is that the "once per season" you can get it to work or is that the one occasion there is sufficient lack of wind for it to be usable /forums/images/icons/smile.gif.

Shall I tell you about the almost new Bene we came across a couple of days ago with in mast reefing trying to get to windward and then trying to furl the main completely in only 25 - 30 knots?

John

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[Talbot]

havent had any real problems with it so far although the max wind I have been out was only a F7.

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[boatless]

It might be easier to look at upgrading the halyard to a high strength but thinner spec, and/or going for a 2:1 purchase.

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[Strathglass]

Ball bearing sheaves are marketed by Holt Allen <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.holtallen.com/holt/bsheave.html>http://www.holtallen.com/holt/bsheave.html</A> in various sizes.

I think, but cannot be certain that Harken also can supply them but they may be more expensive there.

I would normally be able to give you part numbers etc but everything is packed up just now as I am moving house next week from North to Central Scotland.

You should be able to find out details on their web site.

Iain

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[Hardley]

Hi,
I had the same problem 3 years ago, found that I was winching it up most of the way, slow job.
I solved the problem by buying a new longer Haliyard and small swivel block.
My system now is;
Haliyard secured at top of mast, down thru the swivel block,which is attached to the sail head, up the outside of the mast, thru the mast head sheeve, down inside the mast and back to the cockpit.
A lot of line to tidy up, but it only takes a few seconds.
Result is, that I can now pull the sail up hand over hand, so easy, I sometimes sit down to do it.

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