Can you have two mast halyards exit through one bottom sheave ?

eebygum

eebygum

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My query is similar to the old thread below in that I’m thinking on my SHE 32C of using my Spinnaker halyard on my moveable Solent forestay to fly a high cut Yankee or smaller storm jib.

Using spinnaker halyard for Solent stay?

BUT ?? ......

My mast already has a top exit halyard sleeve in the perfect position for the Solent ( just below, slightly to port where the forestay attaches to the mast).... but no exit sleeve at the bottom of the mast. There Are just the 3 labelled bottom exits for Spinnaker (portside) and Topping Lift and Mainsail (starboard).

I don’t really understand what the inside structure of the mast looks like. Is it possible that it was designed for both the Spinnaker and Solent halyard exit through the same bottom sheave which is not a problem because only one is going to be under tension/in use at the same time ? There looks to be room if one halyard exits under the other.

Any advice appreciated to avoid a wasted trip up the mast trying to drop a new Solent halyard
 
A lot of boats have the topping lift external to the mast by having a block shackled at masthead.

If you did same - that would free up an exit top and bottom of mast ... the topping lift could be used to bring the new halyard through for you.

Just a thought.
 
Having two lines passing over the same sheave is a very bad idea because when you winch in or ease one of them under load it will rub/burn a hole in the other one. This could happen in a single cycle, but would be inevitable over time.

Is there space for an additional sheave?
 
I can understand what you are thinking, to have one loose away from the sheave and one under load. It might work, but over time you may get the lines twisted inside the mast.
 
Do you need a sheave? Why not just cut a slit in the mast at between 2 and 8 feet up, and take it down to an external block on the deck or attached at the mast heel? That's what racing boats have, the bit where the mast man sweats the spinnaker halyard up.

I wouldn't have two ropes "sharing" a sheave.
 
Stemar said:
How often do you adjust your topping lift? Could it be set up to be done via a couple of blocks at the bottom end?
Click to expand...

This is my thinking KISS ... many boats do not feed Topping Lift inside mast ... its external. A block at top of mast (mines riveted on one side of the masthead) and rope down to a cleat at base of mast. The halyard then has a complete run of its own ...

Simple. No cutting holes or mucking about ...
 
Fix one end of the topping lift at the top of the mast. Then at the end of the boom have a light block & tackle with cleat, say 4mm line 4:1 on small blocks. ( one with a cleat) Have it so you can tension or slacken, as the boom passes over your head.. A piece of thin bungee along the boom to the end of the line will keep it up to stop it flicking you in the eye every time you tack.
The block & tackle only needs to be long enough to get the required lift on the boom. In practice one does not lift the boom that much. A plastic ball stopper on the end of the line makes it easier to grab & stops it running right out.
Cuts down on length of line, windage & allows adjustment from the cockpit rather than at the mast
 
You could cut a slot in the mast and fit the appropriate exit slot guard, then fit a conventional cleat just below it. Use this for the topping lift and thread the new halyard through the sheave .
All the halyard on my boat are fitted through an exit slot.
Look on YouTube and you'll find lots of videos on how to do this.
 
I am just amazed at the suggestions put forward .... such as cutting holes in the mast !!

There are simple solutions to this matter without need to go cutting holes !! Sorry but just gobsmacked at it !!
 
Refueler, are you gobsmacked that the maker of your boat cut holes in the mast?

It’s the neatest solution, and with a bit of ingenuity it shouldn’t require going up the mast (scary) or having mast unstepped (expensive).

The other downside of an external block at top of mast is that it’s halyard can’t be used in a mast-climbing operation as a safety/backup line.
 
Lots of mast slots, clutches and winches on my She32. A bit of a christmas tree, but it works. One of these days all the running rigging will end up in a battery of devices in the cockpit.

1582703215655.png

I suspect that improvements in mast technology and structural design will mean the new mast will be thinner and lighter.
 
Replace the existing single with a double like this

eb-2.png
 
I'd go for #9, or #10 though I'm not a great strut fan. If you use the spi fairly often though, I'd bring that out of a slot above head height and put a cam cleat there for faster hoists and with the secondary benefit of freeing the old sheave.
 
fredrussell said:
Refueler, are you gobsmacked that the maker of your boat cut holes in the mast?

It’s the neatest solution, and with a bit of ingenuity it shouldn’t require going up the mast (scary) or having mast unstepped (expensive).

The other downside of an external block at top of mast is that it’s halyard can’t be used in a mast-climbing operation as a safety/backup line.
Click to expand...

Who said put a halyard through an external block ???? If you go back to my original post - I suggested using the Topping Lift to pull the halyard through and then that's sorted with own sheave and internal.
The topping lift can then be sorted as a lot of boats are with an external block at masthead ...

Anyone who uses a topping lift for climbing a mast better have good Life Insurance .... whether internal or external !!

I really am gobsmacked at some peoples 'solutions' to what are simple things .............
 
Refueler said:
Who said put a halyard through an external block ???? If you go back to my original post - I suggested using the Topping Lift to pull the halyard through and then that's sorted with own sheave and internal.
The topping lift can then be sorted as a lot of boats are with an external block at masthead ...

Anyone who uses a topping lift for climbing a mast better have good Life Insurance .... whether internal or external !!

I really am gobsmacked at some peoples 'solutions' to what are simple things .............
Click to expand...
Take a stroll around the marina. I bet your gob will get smacked on every other yacht (having slits in the mast). Mr Sparcraft has several slits in my mast for all halyards, pole topper and topping lift. There are many advantages. All my mast heel blocks (no sheaves) are easily visible, easily repositioned and easily changed. And I can sweat any halyard I need to. And it keeps all the rope inside the aluminium, which incidentally appears to me to be the OP's intent.

Obviously, I hope, don't put a slit next to the gooseneck. Don't have more than one slit at the same height. Leave rounded edges. Use the appropriate tools and ask a rigger to advise (or do the work) if unsure.

There's more than one way to skin a cat. The proposed external solution can also work. It requires power drilling at the top of the mast (which also creates holes). Or it requires the use of a shackle in some way that may be a dodgy angle and can't be easily monitored. It adds windage. It's another thing to chafe the mainsail and another thing to resonate and bang around in the wind. And it can fulfil the requirement of a topping lift.
 
This post is in direct response to Post #18 ..... (OP I am sure has his own ideas and will hopefully make a choice that suits him).

I am well aware of slits / slots in masts ... mine has typical key slots near head for stays ... and well aware of other masts with slots in various at base - but all will be doubled internally and provided with guides.
My position on this is to not DIY holes in mast ..... and this is not a small boat used for weekend jogs ... its a SHE 32 .. which is rather a pedigree boat.

Chafe of mainsail ??? Are you serious ?

Here's my Topping lift exactly as I suggest .... well clear of any sail main and fore .... well secured and in a position that carries least risk to mast ...

Topping lift + masthead 002.jpg

Ignore the daft Wing Indicator arms ... darn thing has never stayed locked in position since first days ...

Topping lift + masthead 001.jpg

Windage ????

Couple of holes and proper plate ? Lot less risk to mast than a slot !

Cost of a rigger ? Bet unstepping mast is less !!

I still cannot understand why not .... it works on so many boats big and small .... but of course I am silly enough to suggest simple ways that don't cost the earth ... anyone with two brain cells can achieve ..... silly me !
 
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