A very novice question about the masthead

[VTDS2]

Hello!
Just picked up my 25th anniversary edition 1984 DS2 this week.
Going over all the rigging before I hit the water, I came up with a very embarrassing novice question:

Are the pulleys inside the masthead supposed to spin freely?

Mine seem stuck in place, and before I try to free them I figured I should check if they're supposed to be that way!

[jalmeida51]

The pulleys inside of your mast head are called sheaves or block sheaves and should turn freely.

John

[GreenLake]

They can be replaced, if needed.

If you find them held in place by what is essentially a long rivet that is flush with the masthead, you can gently drill or punch those out and getting new sheaves, hold them with a stainless steel clevis pin. There is a size that is a perfect fit, and is held in place by a split ring (or cotter pins). DR Marine sells the sheaves.

But you can check first if you can get them to spin again (using a dry lubricant perhaps?). And whether they are otherwise undamaged.

[VTDS2]

Is there a reason to use dry lubricant rather than something like WD-40? Protection of the halyard?

[GreenLake]

WD-40's main strength is "water displacement". Not needed, and the residue traps dirt.

[VTDS2]

Thanks for everyone's help. A generous application of dry lube got things moving and revealed that there was a ton of sand built up inside the sheaves (assuming someone dragged the mast down a beach?) but now they are spinning freely and things are lining up for my maiden voyage this weekend!

[GreenLake]

Cool! Good luck.