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 Main Halyard released to top of mast
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redeye
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Initially Posted - 09/03/2019 :  05:06:59  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
The main halyard came undone from the mainsail and zip, up to the top of the mast. Always said I would put a bass lure in a box and keep it onboard, and didn't. Sometime this week using a bass lure tied to the jib halyard to try to hook the main halyard to the lure and pull it back down.


Actually not the bass lure with the treble hooks, they hook everything. I've gonna try the saltwater mackerel rig with the big single hook first.

Then back to the trebles......

And changing out the connection to the headboard to a screw shut/secured carabiner.

Ray in Atlanta, Ga.
"Lee Key" '84 Catalina 25
Standard Rig / Fin Keel

Voyager
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Response Posted - 09/03/2019 :  06:17:01  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Ray,
FWIW I have a 20ft extension ladder that I can use to reach the steaming lights and spreaders. When I climbed up there last time I tried to reach the mast top with my West Marine 12 ft boat pole. I could just make it, although the vertigo almost did me in.
You might try a hook on the end of the pole.
Another possible option is to use your jib halyard. I hooked my boat pole to the jib halyard and connected a line to the far end of the pole to control its angle of attack. I hoisted it up and the hook grabbed the part I was after to twist it into correct position.
You might try something along those lines.

P.S.: just make sure to rig a down haul on thejib halyard

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT

Edited by - Voyager on 09/03/2019 06:20:39
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Enchantment II
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Response Posted - 09/03/2019 :  11:04:36  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I have done that in the past. I used two pieces ov PVC pipe glued together with a hook on the end. I used the other (Genoa Halyard) as a guide to control the pvc pipe, worked great.

Joseph Henderson
82-CAT 25 TR SK
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redeye
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Response Posted - 09/05/2019 :  08:38:28  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Well.. I've decided I'm gonna try the technique with a bass lure tied to the jib halyard with a downhaul and a 80 lb fishing line tied to the lure to jamb up there and see if it grabs the main halyard.

To try to learn the technique that I would have to resort to if it happened out of port and I needed to get it down "at Sea" ( or "at Lake" in my case )

I will keep you posted.....

Ray in Atlanta, Ga.
"Lee Key" '84 Catalina 25
Standard Rig / Fin Keel
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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
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Response Posted - 09/05/2019 :  09:25:01  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
If it happens "at lake", you sail home on the genny or motor in--but if you choose a better shackle, it won't. I can't think of much a treble would hook going up or down--there's obviously no sail in the way. The trick will be getting it close enough to the shackle. If you can't, I'd try a piece of coat hanger wire bent to about an 80 degree angle, with the horizontal part long enough to reach, and tape the vertical part to the halyard...

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
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redeye
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Response Posted - 09/05/2019 :  10:28:06  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
<< but if you choose a better shackle, it won't >>



Using the same Stainless Steel Halyard Shackle I've used all my life. Never failed before. But I guess we bumped it and opened the bail and didn't notice.

On my Jib halyard I went with a bigger opening with a Carabiner on the new jib, although I didn't like it it seems to work fine.. locks shut with a part that turns and covers the opening slot. I expect I will look for the same design on the main halyard and a new plastic ball.



Using a BlackDiamond Rocklock Screwgate carabiner for the jib halyard. And now that I look at it I can't imagine it would last in saltwater environment. My old shackle would not fit my new jib head, and a bigger Stainless shackle was gonna be pretty heavy, so I went with the carabiner. It sure doesn't look right and the pin probably will rust out with time. Probably steel. But the carabiner is light.


Hmmmm.. now that I look at the image of the halyard shackle, maybe it was a maintenance problem, if the sides get compressed with time it might not lock shut as well. I may have to spread the sides open some.

Ray in Atlanta, Ga.
"Lee Key" '84 Catalina 25
Standard Rig / Fin Keel

Edited by - redeye on 09/05/2019 10:54:43
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islander
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Response Posted - 09/05/2019 :  16:16:06  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
you could use a D shackle with a screw in pin and safety wire it through the hole in the pin.

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound


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redeye
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Response Posted - 09/09/2019 :  05:15:56  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
<< use a D shackle with a screw in pin and safety wire it >>
that's a thought but I find the "safety Wire" turns into meat hooks and might tear the sail.
And without that crossbar in the halyard shackle you can lose them and drop the pin. I do have a shorter shackle that has indententations in the side that locks the pin when you tighten it, Never seen that in a shackle. I'll try to get a picture.

but I think spreading the halyard shackle a bit will probably be sufficient.




Ray in Atlanta, Ga.
"Lee Key" '84 Catalina 25
Standard Rig / Fin Keel

Edited by - redeye on 09/09/2019 05:21:31
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dasreboot
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Response Posted - 09/10/2019 :  03:19:49  Show Profile  Visit dasreboot's Homepage  Reply with Quote
I'm beginning to think more and more that stuff like this ans soft shackles are the way to go


Todd Lewis
Eowyn 87 TR/WK C25 #5656
ARWEN 84 TR/SK C25 #4031
www.mainsailsailingschool.com
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redeye
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Response Posted - 09/10/2019 :  04:45:07  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Very Good Point! I made some up and didn't even think about using them. Once again the value of this forum ( to help the aged get out of their box )



AND if I use a soft shackle and it gets away again, that much easier to retrieve with the Bass Lure.

Ray in Atlanta, Ga.
"Lee Key" '84 Catalina 25
Standard Rig / Fin Keel

Edited by - redeye on 09/10/2019 04:49:12
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Voyager
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Response Posted - 09/11/2019 :  07:09:31  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I’m not much of a marlinspike kind of a guy, so I’ve never done an eye at the end of a halyard. I’m more of knot guy.
That’s why I use a screw D shackle similar to Scott’s and Ray’s but I simply tied it on using a clove or full hitch (if memory serves).
My ace in the hole is that I seize the bitter end of the knot with a light line wrapping it to the bight.
While nothing is perfect, this approach seems to be holding just fine.
I could tie a bowline with a long bitter end and use that as a shackle, but without a belt, plus suspenders, I’m not sure that I’d trust it to not work itself free at the worst possible moment.

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
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islander
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Response Posted - 09/11/2019 :  07:48:52  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Ray, If you don't like safety wiring the D shackle then a little blue locktite on the threads then tighten it up with a wrench or pliers. Chances of that opening on it's own are next to none.

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound



Edited by - islander on 09/11/2019 07:52:42
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dasreboot
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Response Posted - 09/11/2019 :  10:51:10  Show Profile  Visit dasreboot's Homepage  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by redeye

V ( to help the aged get out of their box )





Well then you have to help me, I'm 51! Still cant believe it. So old I almost always use low speed on the winch.

Todd Lewis
Eowyn 87 TR/WK C25 #5656
ARWEN 84 TR/SK C25 #4031
www.mainsailsailingschool.com
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redeye
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Response Posted - 10/21/2019 :  04:47:45  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
OK got the halyard down. Had to send the bass lure up about 5 times with variations on the location of the lure and the final addition of the Alabama Chrome ( duct tape ) and got it.

All Hail the treble hook! I had cut the middle treble hook off this lure and now to cut off the front hook and find a small box to keep it in on the boat.




And yep that shackle looks about beat...missing a pin. I guess I can understand why it failed.

FINALLY got out to sail it was windless and 94 degrees all Sept.

Ray in Atlanta, Ga.
"Lee Key" '84 Catalina 25
Standard Rig / Fin Keel

Edited by - redeye on 10/21/2019 05:43:24
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AlMo
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Response Posted - 10/24/2019 :  01:42:49  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I've used a boatswains chair with some success, too.

1978 C25 "X Lives" #1035
SR/SK
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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
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Response Posted - 10/24/2019 :  08:18:40  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Looks like a good reason to use a knot on the halyard shackle instead of a splice--something for a fish-hook to grab.

I thought that was Mississippi Chrome... (I was born in Alabama.)

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 10/24/2019 08:19:24
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MattL
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Response Posted - 10/25/2019 :  07:57:23  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Wait a minute, I’m still reeling about someone using a 20’ extension ladder to climb their mast. Can I have your life insurance policy?

Matt/Brigitte Loeffler
E.C. Rider 5411
Cat 25 86'
FK/SR _/)
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redeye
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Response Posted - 10/31/2019 :  10:28:32  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
<< good reason to use a knot on the halyard shackle instead of a splice >>

I really couldn't agree more. Very important to be able to get that halyard back down.

Plastic ball ( so the knot will not get jammed into the slot at the top ) and a knot for me.


Hard to see but full disclosure, the jib halyard has a plastic ball on it and the tape and fishing lure are projecting out from the jib line because of the black plastic ball..

Then I would bring the lure to the top, and twirl the halyard counterclockwise till the lure spun around to the main halyard knot and pull the line up and down till it grabbed the knot.


Ray in Atlanta, Ga.
"Lee Key" '84 Catalina 25
Standard Rig / Fin Keel

Edited by - redeye on 10/31/2019 10:59:20
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redeye
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Response Posted - 11/12/2019 :  06:24:05  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I've been mulling this "fishing Lure" thing over in my head for a year now about how to keep the lure on the boat and I've decided to try to find a thin lure, cut off the front and middle treble hooks and find a medal cigar tube to keep it in onboard.

I found the Lure cheep, on sale at Bass Pro shops. Now on to the cigar shop.

Ray in Atlanta, Ga.
"Lee Key" '84 Catalina 25
Standard Rig / Fin Keel
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Voyager
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Response Posted - 11/12/2019 :  15:38:00  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Ray, I’ve never found anything cheep at a Bass Pro Shop!,
On that 20ft extension ladder, you can have my nonexistent life insurance policy. All $0.00MM of it!

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
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redeye
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Response Posted - 11/13/2019 :  05:31:23  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
<< I’ve never found anything cheep at a Bass Pro Shop! >>

I go by about once a year ... We spent about $4000 putting together a bay boat from Craigs List and I love looking at Pro shops $27,000 Bay Boats.

Always a laugh!

Ray in Atlanta, Ga.
"Lee Key" '84 Catalina 25
Standard Rig / Fin Keel
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