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Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Halyard stuck at the top of mast

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ftworthsailor
Captain

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USA
279 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/05/2014 : 12:24:40

We had an interesting weekend. We were using the main halyard (stainless) to pull up a newly installed CDI Roller Furler on my friend, Tommy's boat. We looped it around the top of the furler so that when we were ready to disconnect it, we pulled a downhaul line which would unsnap the shacle and make it easy to pull back down. Well, that didn't work as planned. The twist that we had on the halyard prevented us from bringing the halyard and shackle back down. We were hooked right at the top of the roller furler. Each of us spent what seemed like FOREVER trying to whip the cable and see if we could get it to unwrap itself from the forestay. It seemed like we were going to have to disconnect the Furler and bring the whole setup back down and do it again! It was getting late so we decided to give up for the evening and try again the next morning.

I came up with an idea. I have a pool at home... I just happened to have two of those extra-long pool brush poles.... so, I put a hook at the top of one end, duct taped the two extra long poles together and slid it up the mast. In less than 30 seconds, I hooked the halyard and brough it down. It worked ! ! !

Catalina 25, Hull #779, Built 1978, FK/SR "Miss Natalie"

Catalina 25, Hull #971, Built 1979, SK/SR,"Sea Legs"

"if we get lost, we'll just pull in somewhere and ask directions."

Edited by - ftworthsailor on 05/05/2014 12:26:46

kc5dlo
1st Mate

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USA
71 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2014 : 12:48:27

Fuse blew on my transformer at home once. When the guy came out to replace the fuse, he had a telescopic pole that he just kept extending till it was long enough to reach. He made it look easy. I doubt I would be able to do it. Thought at the time it would be a great device for sky'ed halyards.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2014 : 13:07:59

I McGyvered it once in the middle of nowhere. There was a hardware store not to far away, fortunately. A few lengths of pvc pipe, couplers, a coat hanger. a weight and string did the trick.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2014 : 19:38:12

How about bending a coat hanger around a quad copter?

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2014 : 19:53:07

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OJ
 How about bending a coat hanger around a quad copter?

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OJ
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Response Posted - 05/05/2014 : 20:03:19

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OJ
 How about bending a coat hanger around a quad copter?

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GaryB
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Response Posted - 05/05/2014 : 20:32:05

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OJ
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OJ
 How about bending a coat hanger around a quad copter?

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I already thought about that! That's one reason I was trying to get used to hovering near the masthead. Not near as easy as you would think!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">That's one of the things I am wondering about. They say it takes time and practice to get good shots with a kite cam and I am guessing the same is true with the quad copter.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Adding a 3-axis camera gimbal would make a world of difference for the copter. Not sure how you could do that with the kite.

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BCG-Woodbury
Mainsheet Editor

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USA
396 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2014 : 20:54:15

FT Worth-

I had to suck it up last season and climb the mast, twice. I used a 28' extension ladder tied off to the mast. Sounds scary but it wasn't too bad. I've looked into a boson's chair and a mast climbing rig since then. My halyard had jumped the sheave and was jammed tight. I pried it out with a screwdriver but the wire was kinked and it happened again. Since then I've switched it to an all-line setup from CD and no issues except too much stretch when raising the mast. I think I might install a permanent cable for raising the mast.

Best of luck,

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