[C320-list] Mast Head Cover
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Dan Petticord via C320-list
May 4, 2026, 11:32:02 AM (3 days ago) May 4
to C320...@catalina320.com, Dan Petticord
I am replacing the sheaves/halyards/wiring in pour mast before launch this
year and am having one heck of a time getting the mast head cover plate to
fit back on the top of the mast. Has anyone done this before? Is there
some trick I am missing? Any help appreciated.
--
Dan Petticord
Pearl #132
year and am having one heck of a time getting the mast head cover plate to
fit back on the top of the mast. Has anyone done this before? Is there
some trick I am missing? Any help appreciated.
--
Dan Petticord
Pearl #132
Mark Seyler via C320-list
May 4, 2026, 12:56:58 PM (3 days ago) May 4
to C320...@catalina320.com, mse...@cox.net
Dan,
What problem are you facing when you put the plate in place? If the sheaves for the halyard are sticking up past the top of the mast, are they the same size as the old sheaves? If they are the same size, are the pins that serve as the axles of the sheaves all the way down in their slots? On my 1995 #232, the pins slide into slots in the top of the mast. If the pins get crooked in the slot they might stick before they have slid all the way into place, and hold the sheaves too high for the top plate to fit.
Also, on my masthead there was no room for a sheave on the pin that provided a pivot for the spinnaker halyard to exit the mast above the headstay. On my boat there was a Teflon tube on the pin, but no sheave. (Not a problem for me because I don't have a spinnaker, and don't really use that halyard.) If you added a sheave to that pin it might stick up above the top of the mast, and prevent the top plate from fitting.
Finally, make sure that the wiring for the anchor light and the wind sensor is running through the slot in the top plate, or it might keep the plate from fitting in place.
I hope one of these suggestions helps.
Mark Seyler
S/V Reality,
Catalina 320, #232
New Orleans, LA
What problem are you facing when you put the plate in place? If the sheaves for the halyard are sticking up past the top of the mast, are they the same size as the old sheaves? If they are the same size, are the pins that serve as the axles of the sheaves all the way down in their slots? On my 1995 #232, the pins slide into slots in the top of the mast. If the pins get crooked in the slot they might stick before they have slid all the way into place, and hold the sheaves too high for the top plate to fit.
Also, on my masthead there was no room for a sheave on the pin that provided a pivot for the spinnaker halyard to exit the mast above the headstay. On my boat there was a Teflon tube on the pin, but no sheave. (Not a problem for me because I don't have a spinnaker, and don't really use that halyard.) If you added a sheave to that pin it might stick up above the top of the mast, and prevent the top plate from fitting.
Finally, make sure that the wiring for the anchor light and the wind sensor is running through the slot in the top plate, or it might keep the plate from fitting in place.
I hope one of these suggestions helps.
Mark Seyler
S/V Reality,
Catalina 320, #232
New Orleans, LA
Dan Petticord via C320-list
May 4, 2026, 3:37:31 PM (3 days ago) May 4
to C320...@catalina320.com, Dan Petticord
All the sheaves are the same size. I checked them before I put everything
back in. Maybe the pins aren't all the way down. It is really hard to get
my fat fingers in their with any purchase to make sure they are seated.
But I can't figure out what else it could be? Also, if I am picturing what
you are saying, there are small delrin rollers (at least they appear to be
the same material as the sheaves) that go over the tube you are
describing. On my mast, there are smaller tubes both aft and forward with
the rollers and all of the halyards ride on them.
--
Dan Petticord
back in. Maybe the pins aren't all the way down. It is really hard to get
my fat fingers in their with any purchase to make sure they are seated.
But I can't figure out what else it could be? Also, if I am picturing what
you are saying, there are small delrin rollers (at least they appear to be
the same material as the sheaves) that go over the tube you are
describing. On my mast, there are smaller tubes both aft and forward with
the rollers and all of the halyards ride on them.
Dan Petticord
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