Anyone else have this problem? The assembly manual says that the figure 8 that passes through the main halyard ring should FACE the mast. I'm clear on that however I can't get the halyard to lock on the mast hook. I'm hearing the click when the ring and hook touch, and it looks like the halyard ring is actually passing the hook, but it won't catch it when I release tension on the halyard.

try the knot on the side facing away from the mast.

Last time I seen an infusion with this problem Roscoe (BCC) was hot knifing the head of the sail to allow it to rise up just a little bit further. He said some of the sails were a little different in that area.

HTH.

Make sure that the launch trolley is pulled forward and the boat is level. my sail would not hook on if the boat was tipping back even a tiny bit.

I had this problem too and it drove me crazy.

Before you do what Dazz is suggesting try bending the loop on the top of the ring forward (towards the mast track). This will help it hook, but don't go too far or you won't get it unhooked. You need to do a bit of trial and error but once it's right life is good again.

The above is assuming the knot on the top of the ring is facing aft.

The reason why some mains are hard to hook and others aren't is because the headboard isn't in the exact same location relative to the hook from sail to sail. So, if you have multiple mains you may need to adjust the ring/loop again. Or have separate rings... my inventory isn't that deep :-)

Interesting, the manual definitely says the knot should face the mast. I guess that's wrong! I tried having the knot face aft with no luck. The boat is actually pitched forward on it's cradles - I don't think I could tip it forward much more.

So you're saying to literally grab pliers and bend the tiny little ring forward (away from the knot)? Or are you saying bend it between the shackle and the ring?

I've had this problem too. Usually if I rotate the mast a little one way or the other, the hook will catch the ring. I have always had the knot face toward the mast.

I got my Infusion used. The knot has always been a bowline, neither forward nor back. If there is a problem hooking it at the top I rotate the mast so it faces the same way the sail does off the bolt rope. Usually this helps.

Dan

Thanks for the tips everyone - I'm frustrated that this is happening with a brand new boat! Also it sounds like some people have the knot face the mast, others face away from the mast.

I was hoisting alone - I'll normally have a crew who can try rotating the mast to catch the ring.

Hoisting alone is no problem, I do it all the time. Pull the halyard from the slot that the sail attaches to the mast while standing right next to it. After you get the sail up you will have to pull it all through the bottom as if you had hoisted it regular but it is not that big a deal. You have to make sure you feed it through before you insert the bottom of the sail into the lower part of the track. I actually think this is an easier way to hoist the sail as you are pulling straight down not trying to pull the boat back while you are hoisting from the back beam.

If you do it this way you will be able to easily rotate the mast anyway you want. If if fails you right there to hoist and try again.

Hope this helps,
Dan

Great idea - I'll give it a try. Thanks for your help!

Check your bolt rope at the head top of the mast. I'd bet the farm that your bolt/luff rope is hitting the top before the ring goes over the hook. If so, carefully remove a cm or 2 of the bolt rope off the head of the main, allowing it to go over the hook, melt it so it does not fray and remains uniform, I'll bet your problem is/ will solved by that...(I had the same problem, BTW.).