Name of part at masthead

[SimonNZ]

We want to replace a old halyard; it's a stretchy DIY store rope, not sure how it got there.

We have another good quality halyard in place. Both run internally and end in shackles; the good halyard runs back to the cockpit, the stretchy one to a cleat on the mast. I flew the drone up to get a closer look at the masthead mainly to check the block size to see how easy it would be replace it, by stitching a replacement end to end. Looks good.

The good halyard exits downward via sheave, the lower white rope in the pictures. The one for replacement exits upward to a block, black in the pictures. My questions are about the mounting and block for the black rope in the picture:

What is the name of the V shaped metal hanger for the block?​

Does the design and position suggest this is designed for the spinnaker? It is above and outside the top of the jib furler.​

Does the metal hanger look like it needs some attention? It appears to be deforming the masthead to which it's fitted. We not actually intending to use the spinnaker before the standing rigging is replaced anyway, so we'd get this looked while the mast is down.​

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Thanks for your expertise!

​

 

[William_H]

That would indeed be a mount for tuning block for spinnaker being forward and clear of forestay and jib. The tang for the pulley does look a bit droopy bu thenn it may in fact be normal oK. I would not worry if you don't want to fly a spinnaker. Stretchy rope is ok for spinnaker halyard. Certainly if you want to replace it just sew end for end a replacement rope and pull it through. It is best if you have well heat sealed ends to the 2 ropes (old and new) Use whipping twine to sew witha needle through behind the sealed hard part then out not too tight to go behind the sealed part of the other rope. 4 or 6 loops hopefully will hold the two end near one another. (end to end) You might like to wrap a bit of tape around the join. You don't want it to part but you do want it to pass through pulley and mast hole. ol'will

 

[SimonNZ]

This is fabulous information, really helpful!

Thanks very much, I appreciate your time.

Cheers

 

[garymalmgren]

An extension that protrudes forward at the masthead to hold a spinnaker halyard block is called a crane.
Usually they are straight out to get the best clearance for the block.


Maybe someone else on here is more familiar with your fitting.
Although the bale (stainless rod) looks quite beefy it seems to be bent.
I wonder how it is held in there?

gary

 

[SimonNZ]

Thanks, good pics!

I thought perhaps it was designed that way but you're right, the bends are close to the body of the masthead. This post shows a different crane bent down after a 12kt wind on asym: Mast head spinnaker halyard block


I guess that's what happened here too!

I also wondered how it was held in: with a bit of zoom it looks like something is in place on both arms but I can't see exactly what. Seems a poor design really.

This is on a Beneteau Oceanis 400. I haven't found any other close-up masthead pics but I'll see if there are others in the marina and I expect there are owners here who may have the same.

 

[superheat6k]

Where the tang / loop enters the masthead fitting the holes appear to have elongated and there appears to be split opening beneath suggesting that the fitting has been overloaded in the downward direction. I would not use the haliard at all until you can examine the fitting close up, and I wouldn't be surprised if you need to replace the whole fitting.

 

[Neeves]

Excellent use of a drone - magic pics!

As a halyard the whole assembly seems wrong but I cannot think what else it might have been intended for.

As a fitting for a Spinnaker the bend of the tang looks as if it was applied vertically, whereas a spinnaker would tension forward. This suggest the halyard was used for something else, like lifting a man (unless you have lots of spare halyards). However I cannot believe a man would cause the tang to bend that much. The black rope, the stretchy halyard, seems to enter the mast through a slot that is too small and there looks to be abrasion of the cover. I might suggest that as a halyard it would be better run exterior to the mast, or the slot lengthened.

In the second picture of your opening post that shroud also seems to impinge the slot through which it passes....?

I do note you say you will not fly a spinnaker.

Most halyards on a yacht would be low stretch (on a performance yacht think Dyneema) - except for a spinnaker halyard which will have some elasticity (absorbs the snatch when a gust hits). You will know if this halyard was used for a spinnaker - if there is a spinnaker in the sail wardrobe and there is a spinnaker pole.

As an aside - I thought the whole masthead fitting, the complete casting, was called 'the crane'.

Jonathan

 

[Boathook]

The fitting doesn't look in the best of health with elongated holes.
when you have the mast down check the tri-light. The lens look crazed so reducing the brightness quite considerably.

 

[Roberto]

These two things look odd

 

[Refueler]

1. The fitting has been subjected to serious strain and bent the 'hoop' ..... plus elongated the mount holes
2. The halyard now sits too close to furling head
3. I would not use that fitting again. In fact I would be inclined to leave as is until a new fitting - OR this one repaired.

Sorry if I am negative compared to some others - but I would not feel confident in that fitting as is.

 

[SimonNZ]

Fabulous comments from everyone!

Glad you like the pics, I'll be happy to help anyone in our area with a free drone masthead survey.

Agreed, the halyard is fouling the furling head and will not be used until the standing rigging has been replaced (and the bent hoop). Good to learn about the spinnaker halyard stretch! There is indeed a spinnaker in the wardrobe, and a pole in place. The shroud does seem a little close to the top of the 'slot', the other side is much the same, pic below - which also shows more of a crack from the bent hoop.

The tri-light is definitely up for renewal, as is the wind transducer (replace with NMEA 2000). While we're there, the wind indicator and probably the VHF antenna too. I'd quite like to get up there in a harness, but waiting until the standing rigging has been done.