I’ve seen some running rigging get hung up on spreader mounting hardware, 
especially on through bolts attaching left and right side spreaders. What other 
lights and electrical devices are mast mounted?  Spreader lights? Radar? 
Foredeck light?  Does the halyard exit through a fitting on the side of the 
mast or does in exit right at the base?

I’ve seen some riggers and sailing school folks use something called a mast 
snake (similar to a plumbers snake with a hook on the end) to free up snagged 
lines and in some cases to feed a new line either up or down a mast, usually on 
a one design boat like a Sonar or Etchells.

Reeving a new halyard will be far easier if you can retrieve the old one up 
through the masthead.  Running a new halyard down a mast without a messenger 
line can be a time consuming PITA.

Chuck Gilchrest

 

From: Hoyt, Mike via CnC-List <[email protected]> 
Sent: Monday, November 10, 2025 3:27 PM
To: Stus-List <[email protected]>
Cc: Hoyt, Mike <[email protected]>
Subject: Stus-List Re: Halyard stuck in mast advice

 

Thanks John

 

No.  It does not appear to be stuck in the sheave.  I cannot see any trace of 
the halyard and the sheave turns freely

 

Mike

 

From: John Read via CnC-List < <mailto:[email protected]> 
[email protected]> 
Sent: Monday, November 10, 2025 4:05 PM
To: 'Stus-List' < <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]>
Cc: John Read < <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]>
Subject: Stus-List Re: Halyard stuck in mast advice

 

Mike Is the halyard jammed by the sheave?  Would removing the sheave free 
things up?? John Read Legacy III 1982 C&C 34 Noank, CT From: Richard Bush via 
CnC-List Sent: Monday, November 10, 2025 10: 35 AM To: Stus-List <cnc-list@ 
cnc-list. com>

 

Mike

 

Is the halyard jammed by the sheave?  Would removing the sheave free things up??

 

John Read

Legacy III

1982 C&C 34

Noank, CT

 

From: Richard Bush via CnC-List 
Sent: Monday, November 10, 2025 10:35 AM
To: Stus-List < <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]>
Cc: Richard Bush < <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]>
Subject: Stus-List Re: Halyard stuck in mast advice

 

Mike, can you tell where inside the mast the jam is located? On my mast, (1985 
vintage) the top plate is bolted on and can be removed; if it s way down inside 
the mast, then possibly remove the steaming light and see if you can access it 
from there? Good luck!

 

Richard

1985 C
&C 37 CB: Ohio River, Mile 596;

 

Richard N. Bush Law Offices

2950 Breckenridge Lane, Suite Nine

Louisville, Kentucky 40220

(502) 584-7255

 

 

On Monday, November 10, 2025 at 09:44:56 AM EST, Hoyt, Mike via CnC-List < 
<mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]> wrote: 

 

 

At the end of the season our starboard spinnaker halyard parted 15 inches from 
the snap shackle.  At the time the halyard would not pull down through the 
mast.  

 

After unstepping the mast for the season I tried playing with the other spin 
and jib halyards to see if this could nudge it loose.  It did not.

 

The halyard is still just shy of full hoist and jammed inside the mast.  The 
other spin halyard and the jib and main halyards seem to be running freely

 

Any thoughts on how I can retrieve this halyard from the mast?

 

This is a standard white painted aluminum mast from the mid eighties.  Think 
C&C 33-2 mast

 

Thanks in advance

 

Mike Hoyt

Persistence

Halifax, NS

 
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