How to replace masthead pulley

[Guidogidday]

Finding it increasingly difficult to raise mainsail. Suspect that the masthead pulley needs replacing. Is this possible to do without taking the mast down and should I even contemplate doing this myself?

[Navicula]

just a silly question.......................is your line in good shape (not swollen)

[Guidogidday]

No, it's been replaced a few months ago. It's a wire line spliced into rope. Thanks for reply.

[Geoduck]

Depends on what the deal is aloft - wood mast or alum? Should be a simple repair - shieve probably out of round and worn out. Get up there and take a look.

[Stumble]

It sounds like your old wire grooved the sheave, and the new one is getting stuck in the old groove.

Replacement isn't difficult, you just need to go up the rig on another halyard, pull the old one, match the size, and replace it with new.

[charliehows]

just been up to the top yesterday to put a new pulley in the topping lift, pretty easy really once you figure out how to get up there safely.

[brankin]

Make sure you take some safety wire and wrap around the sheave and tie off to the mast head. Otherwise, it will fall into the mast when you remove the pin. Do the same thing when you put in the new sheave.

[Guidogidday]

Thanks for the info. Haven't been back to boat yet but was thinking to use the topping lift halyard instead of the main halyard. Would this work or is that out of line with mast track?

[perchance]

Originally Posted by Guidogidday

Finding it increasingly difficult to raise mainsail. Suspect that the masthead pulley needs replacing. Is this possible to do without taking the mast down and should I even contemplate doing this myself?

If the main halyard is a wire to rope splice check the wire for broken strands.