Mast poblem

[Parsonsheath]

Got a problem, boat not been used a lot , when I went out last could not raise the sail above the first reef point, back in berth could not raise mast ladder beyond that poit.
Fitter checked, said no problem, sail did go all the way.

Last weekend hoisted the mast ladder (fits in the sail track) and stuck at same point, no one round to pull me up in chair to check, rang fitter, said no problem last time, no idea, and would fit it in when he could.

Need go up anyway to change light fitting, and will use the chair. What should I look for when checking for problem, is it likely to be obvious?

Any pointers greatly appreciatd.

 

[oldharry]

Possibly a loose fastening or rivet, which is sometimes ok (i.e. when the rigger is around!), and sometimes slips out of place.

 

[chrisc]

if you are near a crane of some sort it's propobally easier,and safer, to drop the mast.

 

[seaesta]

Get on your back and look up the mast. Can you see anything in the track?
Is the mast straight or has the standing rigging been set wrong?
Take a ladder and hoist it up on the main haliard (your risk) climb up to the point in quetsion and have a look.
Try "feeling" in the track with a screwdriver
If all else fails drop the mast
For many people close detailed inspection seems to be hard but that is what is required at the outset I think
Martin

 

[mhouse]

The problem may not necessarly be with the track, Is the halyard catching on something on the way down inside the mast.

 

[LeonF]

You may have a cable in the mast that is catching....Mine were in open sided conduits and when I had new instruments, the new cable was slimmer and popped out the conduit and track, but not till I had raised the mast. I tried to tension it, but no use. I had to drop the mast, put the cable in to a plastic tube in 12inch lengths and pull it thru...It worked. The likelihood of it jamming up or down when out sailing were too awful to contemplate...
Selden SE were not very helpful.. said the new masts were sealed conduits and I would have to work out a solution. After I had solved the problem I happened to be speaking to Selden at Foxs in Ipswich and he said tha they had a system of feeding a batten up the conduit...wish I had rung round for advice as i usually do!!!

 

[Lakesailor]

I had a similar problem and to try and narrow the possibilities I put a track slider in the track, attached a line to it as a downhaul and attached the main halyard to it to hoist it up the track. You can then move it up and down past any suspect point to determine if it really is a track problem. In my case it turned out to be the sheave at the masthead that was causing the bind-up.

 

[Parsonsheath]

My thanks to you all for your inputs, problem shared, etc., now when I ascend into the heavens at least I have some clear plan of what I am looking for, 'cos, when I do find it then the fun will begin!
Just think how boring it would be just to sail?!