Bob,

I used the NE Ropes splicing directions for Endurabraid at this link and didn't have any problems attaching the headboard shackle with a small eye splice. I probably should have tapered the cover more because the splice is a little wide near the shackle, but still fits in the mast crane and rolls over the sheaves.

So OK ... while 10 mm VPC is very nice ... feeding it though the sheave at the top of the mast is another story. The easiest way I have found is to push back the cover on the red vpc about 6 in. and cut off the core ... then do the reverse on the 3/8. and sort of insert the 3/8 core into the 10mm cover. Use a cheap and thin duct tape to keep everything from fluffing out of control.

this shoots right through the sheave if the duct tape is rolled nicely tight. Always run the new line from the outside of the mast in for a better angle into the sheave.

Some friends on an adjacent dock took some pictures a few weeks back when I ran a new main halyard on Rhapsody. I tied up in a slip next to a Hunter 34 and winched the boats towards each other using the jib halyards on each boat. I was hoisted up the mast on the Hunter, and swung over to Rhapsody.


Here I am pushing a noodle up a wildcats ass, better known as trying to stuff a bicycle chain over the sheaves so it would drop down in the mast to pull a fishing line messenger. On the third trip up the mast, what finally worked was pushing a stiff wire over the sheave from aft, exiting at the front part of the mast. This was then used to pull the chain through. I could then feed the chain down the hole from the front of the mast.

Boat tilt on Madcap to do backstay swap and haylard work a couple weekends ago

Photos photoshopped from Madcap prior post.

There are three slotted screws that hold the top plate on the mast. If you are lucky they will come right out and you will have complete access to the inside top of mast. Also good to see if you have wrapped around the coax by accident.