halyards

[TWISTER]

I'm having trouble getting the mainsail to get to the top of the mast.. I have an 1972 Cape Dory Typhoon, and when I pull the main sheet, it seems to hang up a bit. I was wondering if a lubricate would help?

[bottomscraper]

I assume you mean the halyard not the sheet.

Is it hard to pull all the way up or just the last few inches?

If it's hard to pull all the way I would suspect either a stuck
sheave or a halyard that is just too fat. If it's only that last
few inches and you have a spliced eye at the top it may be that
the splice is just too big to fit in the sheave. The easy fix for that
is cut off the splice, whip the end and use a buntline hitch.

http://www.animatedknots.com/buntline/index.php

McLube sailkote is a good product for lubricating blocks
and sheaves.

http://www.mclubemarine.com/sailkote/

[MFC]

a litttle silicone spray on the bolt rope / mast track might help.
Matt

[TWISTER]

The mainsail stops about 6-8 inches from the top. The metal itself, feel a little rough, so it might be a lubricant soulution

[Gary H]

I had the same problem. The Topping Lift did not allow enough clearance for the squared off head of the sail to raise all the way to the mast head. If this is the case, try drilling holes in the masthead as far aft as possible for both the backstay and the topping lift.

[Bruce Bett]

I hate to admit this but about 15 years ago when I got back into sailing after a long break I had a very similar problem. It turned out that I was not releasing the sheet. Since then I added a vang and discovered that that has to be released too. If that turns out to your problem too then I would recommend that you post an indignant reply denying it all, and sail on your merry way. If that isn't your problem take a look at how the clevis is attached to the halyard. If it is spliced it may be very stiff just above the splice where the line is doubled. This may not go through the shiv well. Cut it off and tie it on with a bowline or a buntline hitch.

Hope this helps.

Bruce

[mahalocd36]

I hate to admit this but about 15 years ago when I got back into sailing after a long break I had a very similar problem. It turned out that I was not releasing the sheet.

I think we have all been guilty of that one at some time !

[TWISTER]

I added a vang last year, so I'll get out to the boat later this week, and see if that's it

[Troy Scott]

Just on the off chance that examining the masthead is inconvenient right now..., I'm wondering if you've checked for a broken sheave in the masthead. They do get old and crack. I've seen then disintegrate completely, to the point where the halyard is just running over the bolt.