Halyard chafe on Leopard Cat

[DKArnold]

Just curious if anyone has experienced halyard chafe on the standing portion of the main halyard? I sail a Leopard 44 and looks like the block at top of main has rubbed against the halyard at the top of the mast.

[Captain Bill]

That seems to be an odd configuration. On most cats the standing portion runs inside the mast.

[drunknsailor]

It's a double purchase halyard, the standing portion is inside.

The block on the head of the sail can twist. This can chafe the line also.....I have had several leopards of varying sizes with chafing on the halyard. Something that needs to be checked.

The single line reefing also causes problems....

[FLLCatsailor]

This can happen when you hoist the mainsail with a twist in the halyard...

You have to be careful because if it gets twisted enough, and you load up the halyard you will get a jam at the masthead.

Then the only way to get the sail down is to got up the rig on the topping lift, and cut the halyard! I've had to do this on both a Lagoon 420 and a Leopard 46...

[colemj]

Originally Posted by drunknsailor

The single line reefing also causes problems....

I have seen this on several Leopards - the single line reefing runs through cringles that seem to be too narrow or have sharp edges.

Best solution is to install a block in the cringle and run the line through that instead of through the cringle. Alternately, install a broader-shouldered cringle.

Mark

[DKArnold]

Thanks all. Was able to get a rigger up the mast. Looks like the delron sheave is pretty chewed up which, when under load is causing the cafe on the main halyard. I've a similar chafe issue with the first reef which likely has a similar cause. Under warranty so hopefully both will be taken care of.