Replacing Wire Halyards with Dyneema

[Talbot]

Originally Posted by Kastrup

hi pete
Is Rotostay still in trading ? I can't get in contact whit them

Lars

I believe that XW Rigging is the people you need to talk to. They took over most of the original Rotostay spares when the first company went into liquidation. Initially they traded as XW Rigging, then the father split the Rotostay business away from the rest of the rigging. I understand that he has now retired, and the rotostay business has been re/absorbed into XW.

[Pete7]

Yes, Paul has taken over from Ian and Sue his parents. Website has been changed to jsut a single page, presumably just a temporary messure:

XW Rigging Home

Pete

[James S]

Originally Posted by savoir

Why not make up fresh wire and keep the winch ? I like those winches because there is no halyard tail flopping around the deck. I agree that inexperienced crew shouldn't use them.

Plus 1

I can see that these winches have the potential for doing great damage to a user not properly trained in their operation, but seriously folks in my 35 years of boating and being around boat people I have never met one that has had an arm broken or lost a hand or finger to one of these winches.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by James S

Plus 1

I can see that these winches have the potential for doing great damage to a user not properly trained in their operation, but seriously folks in my 35 years of boating and being around boat people I have never met one that has had an arm broken or lost a hand or finger to one of these winches.

Lucky you :-) These wire halyard winches are the #1 cause of missing fingers and even hands aboard sail boats. The only reason that the incidents are reduced is because we're getting rid of the things.

As with most dangerous machinery/equipment it is both the inexperienced and highly experienced users that loose the fingers. The middle group is scared enough to make sure their fingers keep safe. But a broken pawl can still lead to disaster, like for all winches.

ciao!
Nick.

[James S]

I keep hearing these stories....have you met any of these guys Nick?
I'd sure like to see some stats if any exist.

[sailingharry]

Rusty,

I know this is an old thread, but it's very relevant. Did you ever make a decision? I'm getting ready to yank that awful rope jib halyard off the mast and go to a wire reel winch, and a high tech fiber might be a nice option. If not, wire works well too.

Talk about dangerous -- all that jib halyard hanging around on the side of the mast waiting for the once-a-year lowering of the sail, and getting in the way the rest of the year!

Harry

[savoir]

If all that rope bothers you then make your halyards two part. Cut off the excess, tie on a lightweight tail and remove it when the sail is in use.