Hi folks,
I am in the final rigging fase of my boat and I was wondering what to do with this masthook. Has anyone seen one like this and how is this supposed to work because it looks like it is installed upside down to me. I have searched with Google and can't find any masthook that looks like it. I assume there is some sort of metal ring that slides onto/over the hook, but how is this going to hold halyard if it's pointing up?

Here is a picture of my boat for people that are interested:
http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/5948/quattro166nx.jpg

Pretty standard halyard lock. Shackle is welded to a ring about 2" diam. - use halyard to pull ring up above hook. Now release halyard slightly and pull down on sail. Ring will pop over the hook.

To release the lock, pull the sail up until ring is clear of hook. Now rotate mast hard to starboard. Pull down on sail while holding mast rotated. Sail will come down (usually ).

thanks for replying Jalani, what does the ring look like is it one of these? http://store.catsailor.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&grp=327
sounds like I will be having fun learning how to use this hook

No, none of those.

Here's a diagram of how it works:






You can see the type of shackle quite clearly. In the UK you can get these shackles from Sailspar, but I don't know who would supply them wherever you are. A good starting point would be your local chandler who might be able to order one in for you.

BTW. VERY important that knot is on the back of the shackle (away from the hook)

One other tip to make sure this works easily is make sure the boat is pointed straight into the wind.

thanks for the picture...this will certainly help when I go ask for it in the sailing hardware store. My mast is indeed from Sailspar so 10 points to Jalani for getting that right
Thanks for your help guys

Might save a little if you can get it cheap enough?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HOBI...mQQcategoryZ31281QQitemZ4596951080QQrdZ1

Doug