Halyard questions

[KevinV]

So, having rewired the mast, sorted out the mess at the masthead, and mostly done the rigging it's time to wash/check /replace the halyards.

Taking them off there are different kinds of ropes, shackles, knots, etc.
Particularly the use of three strand raised an eyebrow - I can sort of see that a bit of elasticity in the topping lift might be useful, but in a genoa halyard??

I can also see that not everyone can do a splice, but there are three different knots - which is best? Also the hard eye on the topping lift makes sense to me, even if it's noisy, but why on the second genoa halyard?

Then shackles - I like the half-turn ones for the mainsheet, and snap-shackles for the spinnaker, but the range here is going to baffle any inexperienced crew.

So, here they are:

From top to bottom:
Spinnaker halyard
1st genoa halyard
Topping lift
2nd genoa halyard
Main halyard
Spinnaker pole uphaul

Secondary question - why the loop at the end? Is it to put over a cleat (there are lots of cleats) to stop the halyard running away if caught by the wind when loose?


Noob questions I know, but I've always sailed other people's yachts and just worked with what was there

 

[Biggles Wader]

The loop at the end is for changing the halyard. You attach the new one to the loop and pull it through.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

The loop is to tie your mousing line to when you reeve the halyards and lines. As for the rest a dogs dinner that has evolved.

 

[penfold]

The loop is to allow a mouse line to be attached for removing or fitting the halyard while the mast is up. I hate 3 strand up the mast unless it's on something ancient with wooden spars, even then it's awful as modern plaited line performs so much better.

 

[Tranona]

Braid on braid, shackle attached with a halyard knot youtube.com/watch?v=3f4Ef7Y3SqU

 

[johnalison]

I’m a fan of the halyard knot but the version that came with my then new boat was tied with the tail taken back through the loops alongside the standing part.

 

[LadyInBed]

I’m a fan of the halyard knot but the version that came with my then new boat was tied with the tail taken back through the loops alongside the standing part.

Like this. It's how I tie mine, but with three turns.

 

[Tranona]

I’m a fan of the halyard knot but the version that came with my then new boat was tied with the tail taken back through the loops alongside the standing part.

Yes, that is the one that Selden recommend. Equally effective.

 

[William_H]

On my little boat for jib and spinaker halyard I just have a plain end on the rope. It is attached to the jib or spinaker with a bow line. (jib is hank on) What this means is that every time the halyard is connected the knot is ina different place so wear of halyard at sheaves up the mast is ina different palce so increasing life of halyard. Plus saves weight of shackles up the mast. ol'will

 

[emmalina]

Think the choice of halyards you have there were governed by budget or lack of it !

 

[Refueler]

I removed the shackle previous owner used with the main halyard - it added a short length and stopped the main being hauled up taut ... I just use a plain end made fast to mainsail head now.
Similarly I removed metalwork from genny sheets - previously I liked the snap swivel similar to OP's top line ... but after having it whack me - I decided soft rope was better !!
My Spinny halyard is plain end as well ...

I am not a user of the halyard hitch as I prefer a non tightening hitch that I can easily undo when needed.

 

[garymalmgren]

No problem identifying which line is which with that selection.
Character. As they say.

gary