Halyard restrainer?

[jmcmonagle]

Have new to me 78 pearson323.
Have Harken mark1 furler.
On first attempt the 150% wrapped at the top.
If I added about 6" to foot pushing it all the way to top it works OK.
Noticed there was an unused tang near the top.
Kludged a halyard restrainer with a twist shackle in that tang.
It works but it's crude.

Any suggestions?

I'm thinking of removing the tang and putting in a harken halyard restrainer.
If I go that route will have to remove tang.
It appears the tang is attached via 2 bolts in the top front of the mast.
Are the 2 bolts part of what holds the cap into the top of the mast?
Want to save trips up the mast :-)

John

[Alma]

I do not have a Harken but I had trouble too. I made a pennant out of stainless cable and thimbles with crimp fasteners. It is at the top of the sail so it allows the swivel to go high enough to get the halyard pulling sideways instead of from top preventing a wrap. Haul the sail to the top of the foil without the tack attached. Measure the distance from the tack to the furler and make the pennant 2" shorter and you should be good. Try first with fishing leader or small stuff to see if it works for you.

[selene]

I still have rope/wire halyards - which sawed through my old restrainer - some weird galvanised bracket I needed to replace anyway!

Personally I installed this: http://www.westmarine.com/buy/schaefer--halyard-restrainer-bracket--285538

Been there about 4 years no, no signs of wear, works as advertised.  I drilled/tapped the 4 boltholes, installed it per instructions for my roller furler - a bit higher than the original position.  I opted for the Schaefer as no moving parts - I am deeply suspicious of sheaves :-) but I am sure the Harken equivalent would be fine, they make good stuff.

I don't recall a similar tang on my mast; the mast cap for me is held on with 6 (?) crosshead screws an inch or so down from the top, on either side of the mast (not front/back).  I am sure folks who have had their mast down more recently can provide more accurate information. Probably obvious, but some owners install an inner forestay for storm sails...could the tang be a vestige of such a setup?

Good luck!

[jmcmonagle]

Didn't think of an inner stay.
That makes sense.
Too bad it's right were I want a restrainer.

Guess it's time to get it all together and get it done.