Main Halyard Question????

[Michaeldi23]

I am the owner of a com-pac 16'. This is my first sailboat and I am just learning to sail and the main halyard is missing. My question is how is the main halyard connected to the top of the mast. The jib halyard runs through I guess it is called a block then you hoist it up. Does the main halyard have a block that it runs through or is there a groove at the top of the mast . I am just learning about all the running rigging on a sailboat, so a photo would be helpful.

[Michaeldi23]

Main Halyard Sheeve. I believe that is the name of the part  on top of the mast that I am missing. any tips on repacing that part. Thanks

[multimedia_smith]

The top of your mast needs to look like the center image (stock masthead) in the montage:
I don't know how to direct you to the pictures on the "owners pages" in the new gallery, but you should be able to see it on the following link.

http://www.com-pacowners.com/4images/details.php?image_id=483

It has two "rollers" (sheaves) and the halyard goes over both.  I would recommend calling the factory for a replacement.  They are great with providing parts... there are so many of these boats still around (also a good testament to their longevity).


Best of Luck
Dale

[Michaeldi23]

Thanks for the help. The Masthead looks like the picture. I guess I don't understand the rigging. I have a line that runs from the masthead to the end of the boom. I am just wondering how do I raise the mainsail. Is there another line, if so how do I install it and if not what do I do. Thanks.

[KPL]

Alot of folks use the halyard to keep the boom up when the sail is down.  What you'll want to do is detach it from the boom and attach it to the top of the sail.  The base of the sail feeds thru the groove in the boom and is secured to the boom end with the outhaul (tied a short piece of line to the grommet in the sail, run through the block on the end of the boom then forward to the cleat on the side of the boom.  Make it tighter in high winds, looser in light air).  Attach the halyard to the top of the sail and feed it thru the groove in the mast.  Once the sail is hoisted all the way up, it will hold the boom up. 

You may want to add a topping lift next time the mast is down.  Simply tie a line (parachute cord would even work) thru the small hole between the tow sheeves on the mast head.  On the other end, put a clip that will attach to the end of the boom.  Make the line slightly longer then needed to hold the boom in the position when the sail is up. (It should be slack when the sail is hoisted as to not interfere with sail shape). 

Happy Sailing!

[KPL]

OOPs, in re-reading your post, it looks like you have a topping lift and no halyard.  The halyard needs to be a little more then twice the length of your mast.  Run it up the front of the mast, thru the sheeves, and back down the back of the mast.  as you pull down on the length in front of the mast, it'll hoist the sail.  Once the sail is as high as you can get it, cleat it off at the mast base.

You'll need to drop the mast to run a new halyard.

Kevin

[Michaeldi23]

Thanks, no your first responce was right. As a new sailor I have looked at the rigging on other boats and they seem to have a halyard for the mast and a backstay to support the boom. I did not realize that the halyard on my 16 supported the boom when the sail was not up. Good to know, but it seems it may be a pain when reefing and lowering the sail at the end of the day to motoring home. Any suggestions or tips. And how about installing someting similar to a backstay. How would I go about doing that. Thanks for the help.

[gmilburn]

What you need is not a backstay, but a topping lift.  There is already a hole pre-drilled through your masthead fitting.  You just need to get some light dacron line (like parachute line), pass it through the hole and knot it, then tie the lower end to the tang at the end of the boom. 

The reason for tying to the swivelling tang instead of the boom is that the boom should be free to turn for roller reefing without the topping lift getting wrapped around it.