Turning block for a main halyard

[DEC2017]

I have a 1979 Santana 30' which has a keel stepped mast and no connection between the mast and the deck. I am running the main halyard back to the cockpit and need to mount a pad eye or bracket to attach the turning block. I have not found a similar thread that matches my situation.


The mast is oval with no flat surfaces on which to mount a pad eye other than the standard two bolt-hole style. My concern is that this may not be the strongest option as I will be drilling and tapping holes in the approximately 0.200" cross-section mast to bolt it on. If anyone has experience with this I would like to hear about it.



Another option might be a bracket with a hole to accept a shackle but I have yet to find anything on the internet and do not know what that part might be called in order to perform the search. Any advice?


Thanks.

[roverhi]

A two fastener pad eye will probably do just fine. The force it has to contend with is mostly in shear which has the greatest strength. FWIW, my 28' boat has all the mainsail, jib and spinnaker lines run back to the cockpit from blocks secured to the mast with 2 fastener pad eyes. Went with medium size Schaefer 78-05 #10 fasteners for most of them. If you wanted beefier fasteners the 78-01 pad eye uses 1/4-20 fasteners for not a lot more money. Actually the Schaefer pad eyes aren't cheap but the PO paid for them. The 78-05 MSRP is $33.80 and West Marine doesn't discount them.

[DEC2017]

Thanks roverhi. Your response gives me a lot of confidence that the pad eye will work.

[Patrigo]

Rivnuts are great things to use for fitting anything to a mast. Very strong!

[roverhi]

Originally Posted by DEC2017

Thanks roverhi. Your response gives me a lot of confidence that the pad eye will work.

If you use the base plate pad eyes, like the Schaefer's, put electrical tape or caulk behind the plate to insulate the SS from the aluminum mast.