Masthead Fitting Repair (Pics)

[Vincent Serio III]

The masthead of my 18' sloop-rigged Hampton One-Design needs a halyard fitting.

There are holes where a fitting was affixed, and there is a groove (albeit shallow) carved in the masthead where the halyard line travels across.

Does anyone have any suggestions about how to properly rig the main halyard in this type of arrangement?



Shows the sail track and the groove, and the holes for the previous fitting on the forward side.




You can see the depth of the groove here.


What I don't have a picture of is the sail track side--there is a set of holes where a fitting was on that side --directly opposite where the fitting was on the forward side. I assume that these two fittings kept the halyard line tracking through the groove.

[rbgarr]

IIRC it may have had a bronze or copper smooth bore semicircular tube fitted into the groove. You could probably do the same thing with some copper tubing with flared ends if you can find the right size tube for your halyard and the groove. Lightweight copper straps could be screwed in place over each end to hold it in place.

[Vincent Serio III]

Thanks, good suggestion. Anyone know of a good source for a sheave or other fitting that I could attach on the forward and aft side of the mast to help guide the halyard through the goove or the copper tube?

I looked at Annapolis Performance Sailing, Davies, Classic Marine, but nothing seems to fit the application.

[Jay Greer]

Actually, a stainless steel tube would be better here as the copper will soon saw through and create fish hooks in your wire halyard. The forward end of the tube should be flared which will guide the wire making a sheave unneccesary.
Jay

[rbgarr]

Good point about the SS and wire halyard. I assumed a rope halyard. Again, I'd think copper straps over each end holding the flared tube in place would suffice to guide the halyard. No need for a sheave.

[Jay Greer]

Actually we silver solder straps on to the tube. This is on the underside of the tube slightly beyond the groove. Much cleaner job than strapping on top.
Jay

[Vincent Serio III]

thanks fellas! I'll post a pic of the final product.