Roller Furler Stupid Trick - Need Suggestions

[Undadar]

I need help....

I recently removed the Jib from my boat for maintenance. I have a roller furler. I wanted to stow the uphaul so it wasn't swinging in the breeze so I connected a line (to later pull it back down) to the upper swivel assembly (the part that is connected to the head of the sail) and pulled it back up to the top of the headstay. Only then did I look up and I realize that I had connected the wrong line (storm jib up haul) which cannot not be used to pull the upper assembly back down.

So, short of sending someone up the mast to attach another line, are there any neat tricks or gadgets for getting this furler upper assembly back down? I've tried loosing the lines and wrapping on the headstay - no affect.

I know... I know... The good news is that I am now a wee bit smarter.

JdFinley.com | Sailing, development, and life with JD

[dhays]

Time to send someone up the mast to retrieve the halyard and bring it back down.

The only other option would be to find a very long telescoping pole and try to hook the halyard, but I doubt that you'll find one long enough.

Good luck.

Dave

[mitiempo]

Learning to use a bosun's chair is a good trick.

[WDS123]

Size of boat ?

[Undadar]

Originally Posted by WDSchock

Size of boat ?

Ha! Guess that does matter, doesn't it!! :-)

It is a Hunter 34.

JdFinley.com | Sailing, development, and life with JD

[celenoglu]

The easiest and fastest and least costly method is to send someone up. Do not worry, it is safe enough.

[WDS123]

Best method is to go up via bosun chair -

Don't try this without someone who really knows what they are doing - it is simple and safe if one follows some rules, but not for learning while doing

[overbored]

Haylard retreiver. you can buy one but I made mine with a piece of PVC pipe, welding wire and sail tape and it works most of the time. Halyard Retriever/Grappling Hook

[davidpm]

I wouldn't have believed it unless I saw it but a guy with a Columbia , think it was a 26, took a couple pieces of furring strip and screwed them together with drywall screws and put a long screw sticking through the end and was able to snag his halyard. He did exactly the same thing you did to loose his halyard.

[davidpm]

Just finished reading Tinkerbell by Manry. He sailed his 13.5" boat from US to England in the 60's.
He lost his halyard and retrieved it by untying his topping lift from the boom and fasting a hook to the boom end of it. Then attaching another light line to the boom end and pulling the hook to the top of the mast where he was able to snag the shackle and bring down the halyard.
I've heard this trick before. And of course overboard showed a picture of what a commercial hook looks like.
The only way something like this would work for you would be if you had another halyard on the front of the boat like a spin halyard.
I doubt if you could get a line on the back of the mast line the main halyard or topping lift to snag something on the front of the mast but maybe!!!