Twisted gennaker halyard

Close hauled

Member
Joined
5 Mar 2003
Messages
336
Visit site
We are having problems with our 2:1 gennaker halyard, which has a standing end fixed to the mast just above the genoa sheave.

When hoisting the sail the standing end and running end of the halyard slowly twists together making it impossible to hoist to full height. We've taken the halyard our of the mast ( using a messenger) and run it through so that there are no twists but as soon as we hoist back come the twists. The swivel that attaches to the head of the sail just slowly revolves as we hoist so that 8 or more twists are not uncommon. I hoped that giving it a good pull would untwist it but all that happens is that is that it gets stuck and has an embarrassing reluctance to come down again.

I've read that coiling the halyard introduces twists and some winches can also do the same.

We've worked out some temporary solutions but what should be an easy hoist is turning out to be a real pain!

Anyone else got this problem and any advice would be appreciated.
 

Bobc

Well-known member
Joined
20 Jan 2011
Messages
9,915
Visit site
Try taking the rope out and stretching it (in a straight line along the pontoon, tie one end to something solid then winch like buggery). If that doesn't work, get a new one.
 

ectimmer

New member
Joined
9 Aug 2017
Messages
7
Visit site
We have the same kind of problem with the stayless jij on a 2:1 halyard that broke twice near the dead-end with melting marks I think due to a kink.
Pedro did the replacement solve the problem?
 

Daydream believer

Well-known member
Joined
6 Oct 2012
Messages
19,055
Location
Southminster, essex
Visit site
Some ropes are more prone to twisting. As an example the 2:1 jib sheets on my squib kept twisting. When we borrowed the sheets from another squib the problem went away. I know this is nothing like a halyard, but looking at the ropes we could not see any difference. However, it might have been something to do with the relationship between core & outer covering. In any event I would suggest speaking to Marlow or English Braids about the problem & asking for advice re the correct halyard first.
Then I would look at the swivel. Some rotate freely under load & some do not. It may be a question of £,s but perhaps a ballraced swivel might help ( assuming available in the size you want)
 
Last edited:

dom

Well-known member
Joined
17 Dec 2003
Messages
7,141
Visit site
We have the same kind of problem with the stayless jij on a 2:1 halyard that broke twice near the dead-end with melting marks I think due to a kink.
Pedro did the replacement solve the problem?


Remember this thread is 7-years old and Pedro hasn’t posted since February 2016!
 

Daydream believer

Well-known member
Joined
6 Oct 2012
Messages
19,055
Location
Southminster, essex
Visit site
Remember this thread is 7-years old and Pedro hasn’t posted since February 2016!
Thanks for pointing that out. In some ways it would be useful if old posts were deleted, because I for one often miss that point & get caught out. I know others do as well. If one needs the info it is often better to re create the subject & get more up to date info anyway.
 

ectimmer

New member
Joined
9 Aug 2017
Messages
7
Visit site
Some ropes are more prone to twisting. As an example the 2:1 jib sheets on my squib kept twisting. When we borrowed the sheets from another squib the problem went away. I know this is nothing like a halyard, but looking at the ropes we could not see any difference. However, it might have been something to do with the relationship between core & outer covering. In any event I would suggest speaking to Marlow or English Braids about the problem & asking for advice re the correct halyard first.
Then I would look at the swivel. Some rotate freely under load & some do not. It may be a question of £,s but perhaps a ballraced swivel might help ( assuming available in the size you want)
Yes its a swivel belonging to the Karver system I have. A call to Marlow or Liros will be my next action
 

dom

Well-known member
Joined
17 Dec 2003
Messages
7,141
Visit site
We have the same kind of problem with the stayless jij on a 2:1 halyard that broke twice near the dead-end with melting marks I think due to a kink.
Pedro did the replacement solve the problem?


You will need to investigate the cause of melting -- very strange in such an application -- but one often sees twists in such systems. You will almost certainly need a new suitably specified halyard.

A rope's inherent tendency to turn under load is termed its torque factor. This is in turn dependent on the rope construction, applied loads, but also on its previous working conditions. Perhaps a sticky upper swivel imparted big twist forces at some point, perhaps the rope wasn't never torque stable?

Rope construction and dynamics differ, so best ask a manufacturer to recommend one based upon your intended reeving, loads, length, etc., to ensure the required level of stability.
 

anoccasionalyachtsman

Well-known member
Joined
15 Jun 2015
Messages
4,173
Visit site
There's a brand that looks like this that now makes my heart sink when I get on a boat equipped with it. Even simple stuff like main halyards need real care with twists to avoid kinks appearing at sheaves. I'm fairly sure that it untwists with tension much more than anything else I've used too. So if this is what you've got then you have my sympathy.

d75dd1f7-f7ef-4afd-9592-0d7cadfb2ab0_2000x.jpg
 
Top