hoisting main problems [spud 1616]

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spud 1616 wrote:

has anyone ever got the hook caught at the top of the mast when hoisting the main sail.
it seems to go up to far and get hooked on the on the shackle area where it goes thru the main sail it self
the only way to get the main down is to tip the boat over and do it from the top. if this shackle was doctored so it did not get hooked up would it be against class rules.
thanks
spud 1616

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Bob replied:

Hi Kevin,
Yes it can happen. It has happened me in the past. At Grafham yesterday I noticed that Hylton Donnelly had taped around the top part of the shackle, but it does make it hard to use the shackle fot the mainsail & the cover.
We do not inspect for small details like that so it's up to you. Most of us just don't pull it up so vigorously.
Cheers
Bob

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spud 1616 replied:

actually it happened when i tried to get the main down !!
i understand you have to pull up and twist the mast to unhook
my crew gave it a good heave and hooked it up as described
maybe the correct method of getting the main down would be better described here
ie whitch way do i turn the mast if im facing toward the stern as my m8 pulls the other end
forgive me if im being stupid but this is a problem i regularly have when derigging
spud 1616

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Bob replied:

Hi Kevin
If you find it is a regular problem try putting the tape around the top part of the shackle. To unhook the main you need to pull the mast around to the port side of the boat (i.e. so that the slot points to port). Of course the boat must be pointing into wind (in fact it helps if the wind is blowing the sail slightly to the starboard side of the boat).

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spud 1616 replied:

ok i will try the method this weekend. thanks