Posted by Vyv Cox on May 28, 2001 at 11:19:50:
In Reply to: sadler 32 genoa posted by sean morley on May 13, 2001 at 18:27:36:
I suggest that the wire is the correct genoa 1 halyard and the rope should be the genoa 2. Here is a method to correct the situation.
Firstly, check that the starboard halyard exits on the starboard side and vice versa, without a twist in the middle. This is easily achieved, as pulling one has an obvious effect on the other. However, don't confuse with the effects of both sheaves being seized on their shaft at the masthead, a common problem with 10-year plus Kemp masts. If they are twisted it is possible to untwist them at the mast foot by removing the sheaves and shafts, using ingenuity and wire. Otherwise just pull one right through and re-reeve it by dropping a weighted thread leader from the masthead.
Attach leaders to both halyards at the cockpit end and pull both right through. I use 6 mm polypropylene for this, which I leave up through the winter. If you heat seal the end of the polyprop you can use a wire S-hook to join the two together, otherwise sew the ends together so they will go through the sheave. Wrap a short piece of tape around the joint to avoid snagging on anything inside the mast.
Now go up the mast on the main halyard/topping lift. Have an assistant haul both halyards back until your joints reach the bullseye. Swap them over, so the wire one now goes through the bullseye. I suggest you tie a stopper knot first, as the last thing you want is for the halyard to fall down the mast! Alternatively, if you just grab the short loop between the bullseye and sheave and bring it down, you can do the rest of the job on the ground.
Good luck! I have done these jobs myself, it takes a bit of thinking about but is really quite simple. If you are not familiar with climbing your mast I can recommend a Mast-Climb, which enables you to climb using your own efforts, not those of your assistant.