united
Member
This is straight forward until the last 3-4 feet - when the winch is needed, and it's difficult even using the winch. Any suggestions of possible causes?
Hoisting the main
- Thread starter united
- Start date
johnalison
Well-Known Member
I think we need more information about the size of the boat, whether it is a fully-battened main or not and what kind of track and slides are used.
My fully-battened main on a 34ft boat is ok to hoist until the last inch or two but this is harder when the older clutch the halyard passes through is closed, adding some friction.
Assuming there is nothing actually snagging, it may be worth looking at the track and slides and maybe applying some teflon grease/spray. On some old boats there can be a snag when halyards have been re-threaded into the mast and a twist occurred between a couple.
My fully-battened main on a 34ft boat is ok to hoist until the last inch or two but this is harder when the older clutch the halyard passes through is closed, adding some friction.
Assuming there is nothing actually snagging, it may be worth looking at the track and slides and maybe applying some teflon grease/spray. On some old boats there can be a snag when halyards have been re-threaded into the mast and a twist occurred between a couple.
wiggy
Well-Known Member
Also worth checking the sheeves in deck organisers as they re prone to seizing.
pandos
Well-Known Member
Hi.
I have similar issue and it seems related to the topping lift, when I release the pressure on the topping lift, provided there is plenty of silicone spray on the slides the main goes up and down relatively easily,
Regards
I have similar issue and it seems related to the topping lift, when I release the pressure on the topping lift, provided there is plenty of silicone spray on the slides the main goes up and down relatively easily,
Regards
allanc
Well-Known Member
Hello,
It might be caused by the twists that one puts into the halyard when coiling, getting bunched up at the last few feet on the hoist and putting a sticking sideways load on to the sliders.
When this happened on my boat and similarly a winch was needed, I end-for-ended the halyard and put a spinlock rotating shackle at the headboard. This enabled any twists to come out, over the sheave and down the fall.
It hasn't jammed since and is hoisted by hand all the way to the final foot or so for winched tension to give a tight luff. (50' mast).
It might be caused by the twists that one puts into the halyard when coiling, getting bunched up at the last few feet on the hoist and putting a sticking sideways load on to the sliders.
When this happened on my boat and similarly a winch was needed, I end-for-ended the halyard and put a spinlock rotating shackle at the headboard. This enabled any twists to come out, over the sheave and down the fall.
It hasn't jammed since and is hoisted by hand all the way to the final foot or so for winched tension to give a tight luff. (50' mast).
Aeolus
Well-Known Member
Is the topping lift doing its job properly? Is there tension on the leech for those last few feet? If so, loosen the mainsheet and tighten the topping lift thus raising the end of the boom. Also check that you don't have a kicking strap that prevents the boom from lifting.
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xeitosaphil
Well-Known Member
When I raise the fully battened main on my boat, I make sure I am exactly head to wind otherwise the battens get stuck in the lazy jack stack bag, release the kicking strap/Vang, all the permanent reefing line clutches, take up on the topping lift, and hoist. Main goes up to within approx 12" of final position hauling by hand ( 30' yacht - 60 year old skipper ),leaving only 12" to winch. A little silicone spray helps now and then.
Possible problems - friction however caused?- Seized sheaves maybe?.
Dipper
Well-Known Member
+1 Mainsheet and kicking strap too tight.
KREW2
Well-Known Member
Check the main halyard and topping lift are not crossed at the top
united
Member
Thanks everyone...I'll give your suggestions a go!
!
!
reeac
Well-Known Member
I had exactly that problem only last week. Due to my practice of securing the main halyard to the end of the boom when on the mooring and then not looking when I took it back to the mast to attach to the sail.
rivonia
Well-Known Member
Yup that is the answer. We had the same problem.
united
Member
That's something I've just started to do!
Hoolie
Well-Known Member
Check your reefing lines are running free as well
onesea
Well-Known Member
Hmm I have no topping lift removes that problem, instead I have running backstays
, they just make you look more foolish when you get it wrong...reeac
Well-Known Member
My dayboat has a topping lift, running backstays and two-part halyards which include a block which you haul down almost to deck level but which has a habit of getting caught up in the standing rigging whilst on the way down.
richardabeattie
Well-Known Member
I once found the sheaves of the masthead pulleys needed freeing up.
charles_reed
Well-Known Member
Dry PTFE spray - NOT anything grease based which will set into a cutting compound.
charles_reed
Well-Known Member
My fully-battened main has the same problem - having someone tail and another pull on the part between mast-exit and mast-base block eliminates the problem - it's all down to frictional resistance in the blocks from mast-block to cockpit.
Dry PTFE helps, but anything liquid should be avoided like the plague - the problem will just increase in frequency.
Slackening off the reef lines also helps - but I have 4 reefs and two are single-line, which results in lots of string...
Dry PTFE helps, but anything liquid should be avoided like the plague - the problem will just increase in frequency.
Slackening off the reef lines also helps - but I have 4 reefs and two are single-line, which results in lots of string...
xeitosaphil
Well-Known Member
Hi Charles Check out post no7
