Some of you may recall a posting a few weeks back where I mentioned my main halyard getting jammed /stuck on my recently acquired Monty 17. I keep her tied at the dock and only yesterday got around to taking the mast down and investigating. I notice an interesting thing. There is what is left of a “card” of some type that was between both sets of pulleys for the main and jib halyards. It had holes where the pins for these pulleys went through it and both pulleys and then out the other side of the mast where they were secures with a cotter pin. I’ve never looked this closely at the top of a masthead and thus don’t know if this “card” has a name, or is even very common. It however appears to be the problem. The aft 1/3 of this thing is torn away, leaving not nearly as high a surface as intended to I believe stop what is now happening from occurring. I also think the jagged aft edge is catching the halyard. It appears like this thing is supposed to be a buffer between each haylard.Does this thing have a name? Any ideas on how to replace it? I can probably make one somehow, and I made a good template out of cardboard in case I end up making one out of aluminum or something, but I’d rather just order one if possible.
Also, my mainsail has a cord in the luff that gets inserted into the mast and then feeds in while raising. This might all be related, but on all other boats I’ve had I think I had sail slugs that you feed in. I recall that being easier. Do both types exist in your fleet, and what are some opinions out there on each? I want to order some new sails in the next year and am considering the slugs. Thanks in advance for any info! Rodney Holland _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
