Aussie Halyard trouble

I have had the Hobie Aussie halyard kit for 2 seasons and love it. The problem has appeared the last 2 times I've been out. I use the halyard to hold the mast up while I attach the forestay, then release the halyard and use it for the jib. The problem is that as I tighten the halyard so that it pulls the mast up all the way and I can connect the jib, it twists and creates so much friction that it will not release. The only way that I have been able to get it down is to hold onto the tail, get off the tramp and go forward and twist the extension line until the halyard untwists enough to start to release. It is a real hassle and kind of dangerous. Has anybody else had this problem with the Aussie. It is the Hobie kit and uses quality hardware and dyneema line. What has changed? It has been great all this time.

The only problem I have encountered is that my pig-tail has started to strech and change it's orientation when in tension. I just need to disconnect the upper block and turn it 180 degrees so that the halyard exits it from the lower side of the block instead of wanting to twist away. This could be your problem.

Not really. Without tension the halyard is ok. The alignment of the pigtail is fine and it has not stretched or twisted in any way. The block at the top does not twist at all. As soon as I tension it, the bottom block spins like a top and will lock in place. It is a real problem to get it down. I have been trying to think of what has changed as it has been flawless for a couple of years.

If you have the lower block of the Aussie halyard attached directly to the jib it should not be able to twist. Do you have some kind of swivel that allows the block to twist? My setup (new 2009 model) does not. It cannot twist unles the jib itself twisted and the jib "hank" that slides along the forestay prevents that. You must take care to insure that the lines are not twisted when you attach it to the jib, but other than that there is no way for the lines to twist. Even if you are using the jib halyard to step the mast, you should have it attached to the bridle in such a way that it cannot twist. (i.e. no swivel).

sounds like it is twisted inside its self, next time the mast is down pretend to raise the jib with the halyard, you should notice a twist as it gets towards the top. then simply flip the block around, thru or what ever it needs to do to become straight again.

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Flip57, you misunderstand. This has only happened when using the halyard and an 8 foot extension line to hold the mast up while I attach the forestay. There is no swivel on the Hobie brand Aussie halyard, top or bottom. The top attaches directly to the becket on the double block and the bottom block has the U shaped strap directly through the block.
As I am standing here looking at it, I may have an idea. I will try something and get back to you all. Thanks for your help.

I thought that it might be the extension line that I was using. I changed it a while ago and I thought perhaps it was twisting when it was under tension. I took it out and put it under tension and it does not twist. Back to the drawing board.

I could be wrong but it sounds like the halyard is acting like rope. The way to make rope is to twist the smaller strands tighter and allow them naturally to twist into larger rope. The halyard could be doing that when in tension and the extension allows the blocks to turn. You might try temporarily joining the extension on the bitter end of the halyard to give yourself the reach to attach your blocks directly to end of the forestay adjuster when stepping. Just a thought.

That's a good idea flip57. I will definitely try that one. Thanks.

Why don't you tie a line to a trap handle and use that to hold up the mast before you hook up the forestay? I step the mast solo 90% of the time and I've never had a problem. I just run a sheet, my old mast halyard, under the bridle after tying it to the trap handle and then shove it in my pocket or somewhere so I don't lose the end, step the mast on the tramp and then cleat it on the jib cleat. Viola, no fuss!

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Blair T

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