Changing the main halyard

[BlueSkyNick]

How often should it be done?

I am about to change ours, as part of a major sail and reefing upgrade, along with the topping lift. They look a bit grubby, although in good condition.

Is it dependant on how much it is used - which is very little on a furling system - or should they be changed after a set period of time?

 

[bruce]

if they are just dirty, wash them, put them in a laundry bag or pillow case and wash like your wife does her 'hand washables'. do a soak over night, wash, extra good rinse, dip in fabric softner, and drip dry. bag keeps rope from choaking washing machine.

 

[AndCur]

If replacing the halyard its worth buying a extra few feet of rope this way you can
shorten the halyard by a few inches every so often so the rope does not always wear in the same place.

Regards

Andrew

 

[FullCircle]

Nick,
in the interests of keeping ropelofts open and riggers off the dole,change them all, and send them to me. I'll give you a couple of bob for them.
AndCur is right, dont skimp for the extra couple of metres, and they should last a very long time.

 

[tome]

Try to keep a couple of yards handy else call yourself littlenick. Good advice- don't fit short halyards.

 

[Ships_Cat]

I would be interested in a rigger's opinion on this (that is one without pound/dollar signs in his eyes that is).

My view is that if braided polyester or sheathed Spectra/Dyneema that they will last a very long time - possibly decades, even in higher UV areas.

That partly because they do last a long time, and partly because unless the boat is large the halyards are normally all far oversized from a strength point of view. I suspect the only problems worth worrying about for decades is chafe or other physical damage, not old age.

John

 

[Seagreen]

Stating the obvious, grubby halyards can easily be washed as suggested above. If they are going stiff, though, replace them, including the extra length as also mentioned.

But, really stating the obvious, use a nice long strong mouse line (non-stretch is best) and make sure the ends are tied together, and then tied to the cleat at the foot of the mast - nothing quite like being in a bit of a rush and pulling the halyards out of the mast with no light line attached to them to take the shine off the day.

 

[fireball]

We just replaced our main halyard - the old one (don't know how old) had become stiff and wouldn't compress in the jammer making it hard to cleat off. I'm sure this was UV damage as the bit that was in the mast most of the time is still ok - I've kept the line - never know when you might need it! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

FWIW - we sewed the end of the new halyard to the end of the old and lightly taped over the joint with gaffer tape (what doesn't it fix?!), it pulled through (mast head first) with no problems - right the way through the jammer too - without having to leave the cockpit!!! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Twister_Ken]

As it's up for a season at at time, it might have suffered some damage from always chafing at the same points. Take a look, and if there seems to be no serious damage it might be worthwhile just end-for-ending it .

 

[Piddy]

When whipping the tail of the halyard create a loop at the end with whipping twine to tie a mouse line to. It helps it through the sheaves and lets you pull a bit harder without it falling off.
A good family friend (might even be my godfather) who is a rigger in Poole very kindly showed me how to do it. Even at 70+ he can pull himself up a mast and work there. Despite having retired a few years ago he is still inundated with work, possibly 'cause he doesn't rip people off.

 

[fireball]

If you were responding to my post about the halyard becomming stiff - there was no real chaffing, and both ends were damaged - one end being attached to the end of the boom, the other through a deck jammer ... now, if you could swap the outside ends for the middle .......
We already had a (good value) line and did not want to break another jammer cheek - luckily it was a newish spinlock so could get replacements!

 

[lizzop]

I am looking for a rigger in Poole to look at our standing rigging and advise also on main sheet blocks. Bought first boat this year and notice that the lower shrouds flap a bit on the leeward side in a blow. Can anyone reccommend someone cheap. HOw about your Godfather, Piddy? Can you give me his phone no.?

 

[Twister_Ken]

Flappy leeward shrouds aren't necessarily a problem, except for peace of mind.

If you can get hold of a book called "looking at sails" by Bruce Banks and Dick Kenny, there's a chapter in there about setting up rigging which is good stuff (I was sailing the boat that the pix were taken on)