Hi, I've recently bought an old Hurricane 500 catamaran, which is about 18ft long. Since purchase, I've noticed that the mast has a main halyard hook, which I'm struggling with. Does anyone know if there is a special type of fitting I'm supposed to use to attach the halyard to the main so that it doesn't permanently catch. Currently, I'm using a standard bowline knot, and have to take the mast down with the main sail still up in order to release it. Any help on this matter would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Ray
Normally a SS ring and shackle, some are 2 pieces and some are connected together.
The Prindle has a "hook & ring setup", you will find the Prindle manual in Photo Albums under Technical Tips, page 2.
gives you the technique used to engage the ring onto the hook, click on pic above to enlarge.
What you need is this part,
Attach the shackle to your main, and the halyard to the small eye,
Raise the main and when it is fully hoisted, keep tension on the
halyard while trying to slam the mast-hook in the ring by turning your mast.
Lowering the main is vice versa, tension on the halyard and try to
unhook the mast-hook by turning your mast.
The photo came from Murrays.
http://www.murrays.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=07-3064&Category_Code=C-MO-CO&Store_Code=MS
Regards, André
Murray's is probably out of the question, the OP is probably not in the USA.
The hurricanes are UK boats. Ray, what country are you in?