Marking halyards

[oldvarnish]

I've been reading the current threads on reefing.

Has anyone got a good method of marking their main halyard so that with a cockpit based single-line system, the main can be dropped to the correct reefing place?

I've tried Magic Marker but UV, rain and spray soon fades it.
I've tried electrical shrink-wrap but it shifts when it goes over blocks or round the winch etc.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

I run a few turns of whipping thread around it... not too many turns or it makes a stiff point.

 

[JimC]

I use magic marker or other brand of permanent marker and just touch it up when it fades.

 

[lw395]

Sew a bit of SWMBO's polycotton thread into it.

 

[Blueboatman]

I have used whipping taken lightly thru the weave and heat shrink but the latter cracks and then creeps. Indelible marker ( ad nauseam) now.
Of course , over time as the lines get rereeved or nipped to move the wear spots, so the marking has to move

To the OP . Just had a look at your blog, that is way cool sailing, what an adventure.
Perhaps you could add some real world singlelinereefing experience on here , is it quiet, sets flat, ever had a twist, maintenance issues? Just a thought, regards t

 

[oldvarnish]

Perhaps you could add some real world singlelinereefing experience on here , is it quiet, sets flat, ever had a twist, maintenance issues? Just a thought, regards t

Good idea. The blog gets going again in a week or so. Keep watching!

 

[VicS]

I've been reading the current threads on reefing.

Has anyone got a good method of marking their main halyard so that with a cockpit based single-line system, the main can be dropped to the correct reefing place?

I've tried Magic Marker but UV, rain and spray soon fades it.
I've tried electrical shrink-wrap but it shifts when it goes over blocks or round the winch etc.

Laundry marker pen .. ???

 

[Blueboatman]

Good idea. The blog gets going again in a week or so. Keep watching!

Hope your summer is better than ours.. Less harbourmasters too prob

 

[Cloven]

I use magic marker or other brand of permanent marker and just touch it up when it fades.

+1 - touch up at the start of each season

 

[oldvarnish]

Hope your summer is better than ours.. Less harbourmasters too prob

True - fewer harbourmasters, but when they do arrive they are in full uniform and carrying a gun. Not many people seem to leave without paying.

 

[duncan99210]

Plastic insulation tape seems to work just fine with our main halyard.

 

[Woodlouse]

As reply no.2. Whipping twine. Anything else will only be temporary but a decent whipping will last as long as the rope.

 

[John the kiwi]

Sailmakers twine sewn round the casing.

I have sailmakers waxed twine which i have stitched through the outer of my spectra halyard to mark the spots.
After two seasons they are looking in frayed and in need of replacement.
I suspect that one or both of them will be gone after a few more hoists and lowers of the main as they wear across the sheaves, so another job to add to the list!
I tried black marker, but my halyard is dark blue with black pattern so even new this was hard to see!
So i am also open to ideas.
Cheers

 

[Poignard]

I haven't marked my halyards but I did mark the centre of my double-ended mainsheet with a sailmaker's (sewn) whipping. This lasts a long time (years) and can't slip.