Bill, I did the conversion to rope when I put on line to lead the halyards and topping lift back to the cockpit for single handing. My M-17 is a '75 so I cannot speak for all the possible mast head configurations, but for mine the sheaves were plastic and in pieces so I replaced the sheaves. Bob at Norsea was kind enough to supply me with new metal (aluminum I think) sheaves and described turning the sheaves to open the slot for the rope halyards. I looked at procuring sheaves at Dwyer and others but could not find the right replacement size. It looks like the rope/line that I used measures about 0.2" diameter. The opening of the sheaves needs to be opened a bit which I did by chucking the sheaves in a drill press and using a flat file to grind the opening a bit larger. Bob did one or two that way for me as examples. If I remember right this is what Bob is doing for the new M boats. Hope this helps. Robbin Bill Wickett wrote:
The wire section on my jib halyard is not long enough to reach to the deck at the stem fitting. When the jib is hauled down the top 2 hanks are still up on the forestay. The rope to wire splice is stopped at the masthead. I can get a new longer wire spliced on, or I was thinking about converting to all rope. However in looking at the masthead casting, there is not enough room for wider sheaves to handle rope. The casting only has a 3/4" slot where the sheaves are mounted. Has anyone done this conversion to rope? If so did you have to change the mast head to another casting? Where does Bob get the masts and fittings from? Dwyer or other? Thanks
Bill Wickett M17 _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
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