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WanderIVth · 28-08-2020, 14:18

I have a Lagoon 410. I can pull the main up by hand to about 3/4. After that I can winch it to within 5 feet of the top, but absolutely cannot get it to the top. I've checked the reefing lines aren't stopping it. What should I look at next?

Thanks,
Wander

**Don C L** · 28-08-2020, 14:27

Mt first thought is that something is wrong with the track up there, and it may start where it first starts getting hard to hoist. You may want to go up the mast to have a look. Trying to force it may make it worse. You can also try spraying a dry lubricant on the slides and track to the extent you can reach them.
Also, check the mainsheet is free.

**JPA Cate** · 28-08-2020, 14:32

If the cunningham, main sheet, and boom vang are released, so they're not holding the sail and boom down, then you'll want to take a look aloft at the sheave for the main halyard. Could be something up there is binding, or the sheave itself is worn out and needs replacing.

If you take a picture of it the sail, what's still on the boom, and showing all the reefing lines and other controls released, maybe someone will see something obvious.

Has there been a time in your ownership of the boat when you WERE able to raise the main to full hoist?

Good luck with it.

Ann

WanderIVth · 28-08-2020, 14:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

If the cunningham, main sheet, and boom vang are released, so they're not holding the sail and boom down, then you'll want to take a look aloft at the sheave for the main halyard. Could be something up there is binding, or the sheave itself is worn out and needs replacing.

Ann

At one point there was a small bit of string that got caught up in there, not sure what that was about. Cleared that and it didn't help. I haven't had it up all the way ever, no. My wife was on the sea trial during survey and says it went all the way up then.

Noisykate · 29-08-2020, 09:07

Choose a calm, flat day and pull the sail up gently. Get some small birdwatching binoculars which can be focussed at 10m, and have a look, all the way up and down, both sides. (Normal boat bins wont focus properly on objects that close - ours dont, anyway.) See if that reveals anything.
Failing that, you need to get somebody up the mast to have a close look.

singlespeed · 29-08-2020, 09:26

The tension on the newer square top sails increases as the sail is hoisted and the top batten tightens. Closely examine the first and second batten cars for excessive wear. Is there a batten car just starting to rise off the stored location on the track, when you cannot get the main hoisted any further? Check that car also, by pushing it up the sail track when you have pulled the sail up as high as you can hoist it. Is the halyard block on top of the sail twisting? Even two twists can prevent the sail from hoisting.

guyrj33 · 29-08-2020, 11:04

as mentioned earlier make sure the main sheet is loose, on some sails the leach will tighten before the luff if the mainsheet isn't released.
Also check for the first reef tack being connected.
Is the luff at all tight below the head of the sail?

Library70 · 29-08-2020, 11:15

I had a similar problem with my L410. The sail would abruptly stop about ten feet from the top. Dropped the sail and got out the binoculars, one of the screws that holds the track in place had backed out and was blocking the top car. Since then I have put lock tight blue on all the track screws.

**boatman61** · 29-08-2020, 11:22

Those damn swivel blocks on the uphaul..

meirriba · 29-08-2020, 11:55

Is it a flat-top main or conventional?
If flat-top, you need to check the dyneema line connected between uppermost luff car and head of sail. Overtensioned line will stop the head going up at some point.
As aside to Jim Cate - Lagoon cats do not have vangs and outhauls. All he needs to release while raising the main is sheet (and maybe topping lift at halfway up), dumb sails...

Clivevon · 29-08-2020, 13:57

You would have to be crazy to go up the mast yourself unless you really know what you are doing AND you have two crew you are ready to trust your life to who also really know what they are doing. Pay a rigger.
Before doing that, suggest you try pulling a sail slide up the mast, with a cord downhaul to get it back down. If that gets to the top of the mast you know Your track is OK. If not, not.
You could also try pulling up the main halyard by itself to make sure your sheave is Running Ok, obviously with a cord downhaul to get it back down.
I assume of course You have tried raising the main with your main halyard running totally Free ( not fouled on anything), your topping lift is on with the boom above horizontal & Your mainsheet, kicking strap/boom vang, any cunninghham & all reef pennants totally loose & free?

Clivevon · 29-08-2020, 14:05

If your mainsail has a bolt rope not slides it is worth getting a Track cleaner made up. A 12 inch length of boltrope stitched into a small piece of sailcloth with a grommet at the top to attach The halyard & 1 at the bottom to attach the downhaul. Try pulling that to the top of the mast. It should run very easily.