Main halyard aft - 26M

[Paul S]

I would like to bring the main halyard aft on our 04M. Been looking at the mods section and every catlog I can find on the topic.

Not sure how different the M deck is than the X, so I was curious how M owners have their main configured.

for the mast base...I have seen upright leads, standup blocks. Any pros/cons to either? Either 'Better'. Have also seen the blocks attached to the mast, but figure the curve of the mast would not make a good surface to attach to.

for the turn back to the cockpit..should I use 2 cheek blocks stacked (or separate), one for the daggerboard, the other for the main? Would a small deck orgainizer be better (will it fit?) ?

For the cleats...not a clue what would be 'best'. I do know that I do not like the daggerboard setup with a regular cleat. Would not miss that...so I plan on replacing it anyway with ..whatever I go with ..

Any advice? Pictures would be great too

Thanks

Paul

[Frank C]

Regarding cheek blocks and cleats (stoppers, to some), you can see one approach on my Lines Aft page, filed under "Cockpit" mods.

I've only seen the rotating mast a couple of times at boat shows, and I can't fathom how one could get a fair lead from it, but I'm sure there's some smart boat owner out there who's done it. That's what winters are for

[Chip Hindes]

For my X, the halyard aft kit consists of an upright lead turning block bolted at the base of the mast, a single cheek block way out next to the stanchion, and a Spinlock rope clutch just forward of and angled toward the starboard sheet winch to tension the halyard. It works great.

For the M, I don't care what anyone else says, don't use mast base mounted turning blocks or you'll compromise mast rotation. It's simple physics. It's slightly more work, but I believe if you mount your upright lead block to the deck, as close to the mast as possible you'll be fine. Of course, you'll need a backing plate or large fender washers. The price you pay for the high performance rotating mast. Not that familiar with the setup; maybe you could replace the existing mast base plate with a wider plate so you could bolt stuff to the base plate?

The rope clutch is the only way to go with halyards. I was so impressed I got two similar powerclutches to use with the roller furler and topping lift led aft. Another is on the list for my next project, vang led aft. I'll then have all my sail controls in the cockpit. For the topping lift and furler I also used a four block deck organizer portside; I have two blocks left; one will be for the vang. The lines across the deck are already enough of a tripping hazard without jacking them way up by stacking cheek blocks.

Then, on to the reefing project...

[ALX357]

pardon me butting in..... but fmi, what is the cleat for (at the mast) ? if running the line aft to the cockpit ?

[baldbaby2000]

Paul,

My M was rigged by Supersport Marine. The main halyard system is actually quite simple. There is a D shackle attaching a small block to a hole about 2.5 inches back from the front of the vertical portion of the mast base plate. This is on the starboard side. Another cheek block is stacked on top of the dagger board cheek block (or maybe it's a dual cheek block). The halyard runs through this block to a rope clutch accesible from the cockpit. It seems to work fine. Make sure the bolt that holds the mast base has the head towards the pulley so it won't catch on the pulley.

BB

[aya16]

Have to disagree with you chip I have a Pivoting Base Block W/C-cleat
that is attached to the mast . as the main halyard is locked down on the mast itself there is no interferance with the rotation of the mast. Main halyrd is lose to the cockpit and as the mast turns so does the cam cleat that holds the halyard. Works perfect and is easy to pop out from the cockpit. another advantage is the halyard as its being pulled is locked down and doesnt slip . West marine has the Pivoting Base Block W/C-cleat
but the one they show on their web site is to small they do carry another one that I use. very nice.

[baldbaby2000]

aya16,
Do you have the part number of the pivoting block is that you use. Pictures would be nice on the mod page if you have time.

BB

[aya16]

I believe this is the one I have
http://store.catsailor.com/tek9.asp?pg= ... jmnocpqoe4

[aya16]

Im not sure Ill check Fri when I go to the boat. But west marine sells it its just not on their website. It looks like this one but much larger and its around 60 dollars http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... ctId=46935
Its also made out of stainless not plastic. i was going to post some pictures of My BBQ and some mods sunday look for them

[Chip Hindes]

Have to disagree with you chip

Have to disagree with your disagreement. The setup you describe is different than what I said not to do.

Seems like what you're describing should work fine. Should work in any boat, not just the M. Can someone who has it post a photo?

One question: Can you use the winch to tension the halyard?

[aya16]

Chip , no need to use the winch, I use the wench she pulls it right up with little effort of course sail slugs make it very easy.