Halyard replacement

[Jayzooom]

Originally Posted by The Yacht Rigger

5/8" is HUGE - that's 16mm. Simply no way that would even fit any of his hardware.

Okay I found 10 MM MLX3@ 1.50/foot. Sound better?

[Jayzooom]

Originally Posted by Jammer

1) 1/2" is big for a 32' boat. 3/8" probably more than sufficient.

2) Consider modern, low-stretch dyneema core lines, they will give you better control, you won't have to retension the halyard nearly as often.

3) Replace the shackle at the same time, they wear out

4) Get a rigger to do the eye splice at the shackle and a reeving eye in the other end


You have to do a lot of double-braid eye splices to get good at them.


I get my halyards at fisheriessupply.com who offer splicing/rigging services. After a brief hiatus I believe Defender is again offering splicing. You may find that their prices are better than those at West Marine.

Noted and Noted. Thank you. Will replace shackles. Thank you.

[Jayzooom]

Originally Posted by psk125

When we replaced the halyards on our new-to us J/36 we got non stretch cores with polyester covers. We tied the shackles to them instead of splicing, but did sew the knots so they wouldn't slip or open. Twenty years later we sold the boat. The halyards and shackles were fine. Stay-Set (polyester double-braid)might be considered a bit stretchy compared to other lines that are now available, like Dyneema. The Dyneema is pricier, of course.

I think that is a really good solution. Will investigate thank you.

[Jayzooom]

Originally Posted by thomm225

Yeah, that's fine too but tape worked fine for me and was very fast. (electrical tape I had laying around)

I ran another line (halyard) to help secure the mast when I removed my backstay and for that one, I went up on my webbing ladder.

When I bought my boat in 2011, it had been on the hard for 5 years.

So I removed the dirty halyards and washed them in the bathtub allowing them to soak overnight then reinstalled using tape to attached them to the thinner line I had replaced them with for that purposed. I used them for another 8-10 years before buying new.

There's always more than one method.

Tape worked for me, but it can jam in the sheaves if not done right so you need a backup if you have to go up.

I didn't have that in 2011, so used that thinner line.

That bit of longevity is good to know. Maybe they can become jib sheets.

[The Yacht Rigger]

Originally Posted by Jayzooom

Okay I found 10 MM MLX3@ 1.50/foot. Sound better?

Thats not bad, places like Fisheries Supply have Sirius 500 in 10mm for $1.14 per foot.
We sell it for $1.39 a foot (less buying power I guess).

[Jayzooom]

Originally Posted by The Yacht Rigger

Thats not bad, places like Fisheries Supply have Sirius 500 in 10mm for $1.14 per foot.
We sell it for $1.39 a foot (less buying power I guess).

Would you pick Sirius 500 over MLX3?

[JimsCAL]

I am a big fan of New England Ropes VPC. Much lower stretch than polyester double braid and not much more expensive. Currently using it for both my main and genny halyards.
https://www.neropes.com/products/per...ct/detail/vpc/

[Jayzooom]

Originally Posted by JimsCAL

I am a big fan of New England Ropes VPC. Much lower stretch than polyester double braid and not much more expensive. Currently using it for both my main and genny halyards.
https://www.neropes.com/products/per...ct/detail/vpc/

Sweet, thank you! So many good options

[barnakiel]

Ours are wire to rope and the rope is 10mm polyester. The wire is soft wire.. I splice the two onboard.


This gives a simple and lasting halyard (life 20 years +). The trick is to have the eye swagged before you start splicing. Unless you have the crimper and the talurites and can make the eyes onboard too.


An all line halyard, preferably of Spectra, is a cool thing - but one must be sure the pulleys in the mast are the ones built for rope - and in great shape too. Otherwise chafe will eat the halyard prematurely.


b.

[Jayzooom]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Ours are wire to rope and the rope is 10mm polyester. The wire is soft wire.. I splice the two onboard.


This gives a simple and lasting halyard (life 20 years +). The trick is to have the eye swagged before you start splicing. Unless you have the crimper and the talurites and can make the eyes onboard too.


An all line halyard, preferably of Spectra, is a cool thing - but one must be sure the pulleys in the mast are the ones built for rope - and in great shape too. Otherwise chafe will eat the halyard prematurely.


b.

It didnt even occur to me to check that. Thank you!

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by The Yacht Rigger

5/8" is HUGE - that's 16mm. Simply no way that would even fit any of his hardware.

Yep, measured mine today, and they are 3/8". I got confused. (or just senile)

My jib sheet though is 1/2" and that came with the boat from the PO.

Topping lift must be 1/4" as it is a tad smaller than the halyards.