Locating Spinnaker Halyard Block

[CPD]

The fitting on the right is for the forestay. What would you do to hang a halyard block in front of this attachment ?

The plate (on which sits the light, VHF aerial etc) which is screwed to the casting (welded to the mast) with 6 small screws is currently not in the correct position.

All thoughts welcome ......

 

[Wing Mark]

I don't think it's unknown for kite halyards to be below/inside the forestay,
I've seen masts with a slot maybe a foot down, leading to an external swivel block mounted on a 'crane' to lead the kite halyard past the forestay.

Googling 'masthead spinnaker crane' throws out lots of images.

 

[Daydream believer]

Drill a hole through the 2 cheeks above the forestay fitting. Pass a pin through the 2 holes- Suggest 10mm- Put a dynema shackle over the pin & attach a pulley to that. or a normal shackle with a swivel pulley might be better as not prone to chafe on the cheeks
I would not put it inside the forestay as you cannot gybe properly. If you have a furling jib the halyard must not get caught in the furls of the jib which it may if just inside . I cannot see a crane working without fouling the sail, but it depends on what crane & how you fix it

 

[John the kiwi]

If it was me, i would fabricate a long shackle with the spin block inside it and the forestay below it. It would mean shortening the forestay.

 

[Neeves]

I would take the spin halyard higher, above the forestay fitting, lots of options (but Daydream's seems sensible). Kiwi John's idea would also work - but might cost more.

Having the halyard below the forestay fitting is a recipe for a wrap with more than one gybe.

Jonathan

 

[Blueboatman]

I would identify and then contact the mast manufacturer showing them this pic and explaining what you wish to do in a correct manner

 

[CPD]

All good comments, and gratefully received gents. Please keep them coming ...................

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

I would suggest using the existing small crane projecting forward above the forestay fitting. Drill upwards, just where the white cable emerges for the light, and install a suitably-sized ringbolt or 'u'-bolt, to which a swivel block can be shackled.

 

[LadyInBed]

I'm not sure that the crane with white tape on is strong enough.
Daydream's solution seems best, but if you don't want to drill the fitting, you could clamp a U shaped length of stainless bar around the shank of the forestay fitting and shackle the block to the end of it.
A length of something like this:

 

[Daydream believer]

I'm not sure that the crane with white tape on is strong enough.
Daydream's solution seems best, but if you don't want to drill the fitting, you could clamp a U shaped length of stainless bar around the shank of the forestay fitting and shackle the block to the end of it.
A length of something like this:

I would be careful of that. It might put a side twisting strain on the fitting in the mast. The shroud fitting is designed for a straight downward pull. As the spinnaker went on to a reach the fitting shown would be twisting it & pulling sideways.
Just my opinion of course.

 

[doug748]

All good comments, and gratefully received gents. Please keep them coming ...................

Here is my masthead, you can see spinnaker blocks port and stb'd. It's a Kemp mast on a 32 ft boat. The different weights of rope are not significant and exist for historical reasons:




After this snap I mounted them on a homemade crane about 6in forward but have now abolished this. The crane was 30mm alloy square tube with a bit of teak rammed up it for good measure, it was ok.
I have since deduced that masthead wraps are not caused by the line exiting the block, to the spinnaker head but that bight between the mast exit and entering the block - I have introduced an eye to help keep this in check,
If sailing single/short handed the beauty of two hoists is that (if you remember which one you have used) taking the thing down on the side it went up means less chance of problems at the masthead.


No idea why we have red text here? Can't seem to be rid of it.
.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

I'm not sure that the crane with white tape on is strong enough.
Daydream's solution seems best, but if you don't want to drill the fitting, you could clamp a U shaped length of stainless bar around the shank of the forestay fitting and shackle the block to the end of it.
A length of something like this:

I'm not suggesting drilling the overhanging plate with the white tape wrapped around it, but the heavily engineered 'boxy' cast aluminium alloy component that extends about 3-4 inches down the mast with a white cable emerging from it that connects to the masthead light, and is comprehensively attached to the spar at several points by the look of it.

 

[CPD]

Thank you gents one and all. After a hard days slog on t'internet I am pretty sure I have now found a solution, that being I apparently have a rigrite masthead unit, and they offer a standard crane fitting and not only that - there is also a drawing with dimensions on the web too. Thank goodness and thanks for all the comments ...........