Main Halyard jammed inside mast

[Vince D]

Our main halyard parted at the thimble while under sail. The eye splice went into the mast. The thimble stayed on the shackle at the head board. We attempted to pull the halyard out from the base of the mast and it jammed. I contacted Catalinadirect tech for advise. I was informed it probably got hung up on the compression post for the spreaders. we have not tried pulling it out with a winch for fear of further complications.
Is there a way to retrieve this without pulling the mast?

[MBWhite]

How did Catalina suggest you retrieve it? They must have had some suggestions?

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Vince.

[Stumble]

It depends on exactly how it is stuck. I haven't dealt with this before, but my thoughts are worst case remove the spreaders and take out the compression post. Of course this takes dropping the mast to do safely.

Hoestly the only other thing I can think of it to see if you can get ahold of a plumbers snake camera and drop it down the mast. At least then you can see what's going on and may be able to formulate a better plan of attack.

[Steve Bean]

How about rigging some temporary shrouds so you can remove the spreader compression post without pulling the mast?

[Stumble]

Originally Posted by Steve Bean

How about rigging some temporary shrouds so you can remove the spreader compression post without pulling the mast?

Depending on how the mast is stepped it may work. But go look at the cost of replacing a mast first. The issue as I see it is that the problem likely has to be addressed from above, and there is no way I would go up a rig without all the shrouds in place.

[neilpride]

If is a latest Selden mast you need to drop the stick no matter what since the spreaders compresión tubes are to complex to deal with the rig in place, deck steeped mast dont help to hold the mast in place without spreaders, you can try to disconect a lowers tang plates under the spreader and see if the window is big enough to attempt something,,,, good luck.

[Vince D]

The issue has been resolved. The halyard had jammed behind the turning block and with some help it was freed.
Thanks for all your suggestions.

[MBWhite]

Well yaay!