The Resourceful Sailor: Skyed Halyard Retrieval Made Easy

Does a skyed halyard require a trip to the top of the mast? Not necessarily. I recall the dread and disappointment the first time a shackle went aerial. Now, it is only a minor inconvenience. This installment will discuss an alternative technique for reeling in a lofty runaway that works on Sampaguita, a 1985 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 sailboat.

In the case of Sampaguita, two advantages contribute to a relatively quick and easy halyard retrieval. First, I doubled the headsail and mainsail halyards to prepare for offshore sailing by leading them inside the mast. Second, these pairs exit the masthead close to each other. For example, I retrieve one headsail halyard with the other. Here is how:

I cut a 6-inch wire segment from a coat hanger, feeding it through the eye splice for the shackle of the second halyard. Bending secures the wire and makes grapple-like hooks. With a messenger line attached, I hoist the assembly up to the masthead, flicking the messenger about until the wire hooks catch on the skyed shackle. Then, I carefully pull them down together.

Retrieval has been successful every time a halyard was skyed — sometimes on the first try, sometimes after 25 minutes. My confidence is strong enough that I purposely did it to make the following video.

Many boats are without double halyards, and double was not always the case with Sampaguita. A spinnaker halyard may work for the headsail or a topping lift for the mainsail. Each boat owner will need to assess the options on their vessel.

The original motivation for installing double halyards was preparation for a skyed or broken one. I attach the second to the sail and keep going. Being able to use the same spare halyard to retrieve the skyed one came as a surprise bonus.

While writing this, I searched the internet for “skyed halyard” and watched a few videos. Though I came upon this idea independently, I discovered similarly simple solutions. I hope you can find a way that works for your boat.

The Resourceful Sailor believes everyone should be able to climb and inspect their mast, but it is not without time, effort, and risk. However, retrieving a halyard may be faster, easier, and safer from the deck. Remember, keep your solutions safe and prudent, and have a blast.