Posted by Pierre Malan on July 17, 1998 at 10:29:53:
In Reply to: Swallow's spar fittings posted by Lionel Hill on July 17, 1998 at 03:09:57:
Swallow's mast ring would in all probability have been a galvanised or bronze ring covered in leather. What I have done on the three lug rigged bopats my children and I sail, is to make a ring of rope with parrel beads, to which the halyard and a snaphook are attached. The only purpose of the ring is to keep the yard (technically it is not a gaff) from blowing away to leeward when the sail is hoisted. The parel beads provide a crude roller bearing to ease the ring of rope up the mast. The whole system is very simple. My 8 year old rigs his boat single handed, and has done so for more than a year.
Contact me direct if i can be of any further assistance.
Pierre