Jib halyard jams

Adam Orth

New Member
First, I must thank those who post their wisdom in this forum. Having lurked about it getting answers to my questions for a few months now, I can attest to its usefulness.

My current problem is that my jib halyard jams on the block attached near the top of my mast. As the halyard goes up the mast, it jumps the block, getting pinched between the block and the mast and held there by the pressure of the halyard as it tops the block and goes back down the mast.

I will try to attach photos illustrating what I'm trying to describe. The section of the halyard farthest from the mast is what's traveling "up," meaning its end is attached to the jib. Hmm, perhaps I have it rigged wrong. (Note, earlier I had this part mixed up. I just edited it)

The block seems a bit wobbly, so perhaps it needs replacing? However, the arrangement seems awkward; the block can't swivel and it is clearly wearing on the mast itself.

I don't have it rigged with a block and becket arrangement. Thanks to this forum, I plan to remedy that.

The halyard had some kinks in it after our last sail, but it lies flat now and has no obvious
distortions. Still, I wonder if it needs replacing?

This boat is new to me, having bought it about two months ago. The previous owner mentioned he'd been having problems with the jib halyard.

Any thoughts?

Cheers, Adam
 

Attachments

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Hard to tell by looking at your picture, but it looks like you are using 3/8 inch line. It should be 14'8" of 1/4" line.
 
Well, what do you know!

Greg is right. When I went out and measured, I discovered the jib halyard on my boat is indeed 3/8 inch, despite boat specs that call for 1/4-inch line. I've just ordered some new 1/4-inch Sta-Set Polyester Yacht Braid from West Marine. When it arrives, I will give that a try. I've since found a post that recommended adding washers to the clamp holding the block -- to give the block more room to maneuver. However, I'm going to wait for my shinny-new halyard to show up. I'll post an update. Thanks for responding Greg!
 
Jib Halyard

A much thinner halyard will help, and holding the halyard a few inches away from the mast while raising and lowering reduces the friction.
RRE
 
Smooth sailing!

Well, that did it. Went sailing out on Harrimen Reservoir in Vermont. Was a bit of a circus getting launched and we often lost the wind, but that's because our skills are rusty. As for the jib halyard, it went up and down as ordered without complaint. I have it rigged with a block with becket. Not particularly useful right now, but I'll likely appreciate it more once we get past the basics of staying upright and not hitting things.

Thanks to Greg and Ross for their insights.

Cheers, Adam

P.S. Now I'm working on replacing the damn hanks, which keep coming loose. I'll post a different thread for that.
 

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