Main halyard splice damage?

[Captain Crisp]

Hi my main halyard has a worn out section on the outer braid. I'm planning to reverse it and splice the thimble on the other end.
I think the damage is where the splicing needle exited the braid. Is that a common weak spot? Can it be avoided?
Thanks
Crisp

 

[BabaYaga]

Can it be avoided?

One option is to do away with the thimble and knot to the shackle.
There are a few different versions of the knot, but this one works well in my experience:
Jeanneau Halyard Hitch - Jeanneau Owners Network

 

[Poignard]

This is my main halyard, new in 1998, showing no signs of any damage like yours.

Could it be that the damage on yours is caused by contact with something rough-edged at the mast head?

 

[Laysula]

You'll never splice an old rope. Just cut it and tie a halyard knot.No need to reverse ir as you will have moved any wear points along a bit.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

You'll find it very difficult to splice old braid on braid. It loses some elasticity, and "milking" the slice when finishing it becomes VERY difficult, and may be impossible.

I don't splice my main halyard; I use the halyard hitch. The problem with a splice is that it introduces quite a long stretch of increased diameter and reduced flexibility between the thimble and the end of the splice. Almost certainly, the wear you are seeing is down to that. Using the halyard hitch avoids the increased diameter and reduced flexibility allowing the peak of the sail to be hoisted higher without extra wear.

 

[neil_s]

And if you don't like the halyard hitch, you could try a racking seizing. Have had one on my main halyard for many years.

 

[Captain Crisp]

Brilliant - thanks all!

 

[Tranona]

Support the use of the hitch. However can be difficult with hard old rope, so best to wash it first to get the dirt and salt out. Downside is that you can expose other worn bits and get ruptures elsewhere on the rope reminding you that it ha a finite life!

 

[dunedin]

Support the use of the hitch. However can be difficult with hard old rope, so best to wash it first to get the dirt and salt out. Downside is that you can expose other worn bits and get ruptures elsewhere on the rope reminding you that it ha a finite life!

We also use the (Jeannea) halyard hitch. We winch it tight between two winches to ensure is fully taken up before using to hoist a sail, which would be worth doing on an older rope to ensure it is secure.