Mk1 halyard washer...

[KevinV]

Well it makes lots of bubbles - no idea whether it'll actually clean anything

 

[Poignard]

Hubble, bubble, toil and trouble.

 

[ProDave]

Every time it rains, your halyards will foam up from now on.

 

[KevinV]

Every time it rains, your halyards will foam up from now on.

It's an unbelievably small quantity of laundry detergent, and they'll be rinsed well. I had to try something, the boss is not hugely enthused about them going in the washing machine.

 

[Tranona]

Take them home and use the washing machine. Soak them first to get the worst of the salt out.

 

[LittleSister]

I had to try something, the boss is not hugely enthused about them going in the washing machine.

Why on earth not? What does she think you've been doing with them to get more than a bit of salt, algae and general daily grime on them?

Getting rid of dirt is what the machine's for. Far worse things go in the washing machine via clothes, towels, tablecloths, etc.

Soak them first to get the worst of the salt out.

A pre-soak would be a bonus, but I just do a rinse and drain cycle in the washing machine before starting the wash cycle. (Lower the spin speed to avoid the potential for rope 'hernias' with the core poking out of the cover - the rope'll soon dry anyway.)

 

[KevinV]

Why on earth not? What does she think you've been doing with them to get more than a bit of salt, algae and general daily grime on them?

Getting rid of dirt is what the machine's for. Far worse things go in the washing machine via clothes, towels, tablecloths, etc.



A pre-soak would be a bonus, but I just do a rinse and drain cycle in the washing machine before starting the wash cycle. (Lower the spin speed to avoid the potential for rope 'hernias' with the core poking out of the cover - the rope'll soon dry anyway.)

Well, she IS out on Thursday, all day

 

[Poignard]

I put them a pillow case but I see that fine mesh bags are available at low price so next time I will try that.

 

[greeny]

Every time it rains, your halyards will foam up from now on.

And your decks will be washed with the detergent foam automatically. Brilliant - patent the idea,

 

[LittleSister]

Well, she IS out on Thursday, all day

Go for it!

 

[LittleSister]

I put them a pillow case . . .

But why?

 

[Poignard]

But why?

Two reasons.

1. The sound of the snap shackles and metal thimbles spliced on the ends crashing around in the drum worried me.

2. The first halyard I ever washed in the machine without being in a bag came out with the outer braid damaged.

 

[William_H]

With the mast down I don't understand why people remove halyards for washing. What I would do is stopper knot the end of the halyard, pull as much out of the top of the mast as possible and wash that. A bucket water and a little detergent will do. Then pull the halyard all the way back so as much as possible is out at the bottom of the mast and wash that. Perhaps a little in the middle misses out but so much simpler than removing halyard.
My little boat is now home on trailer with mast laid on cabin roof. I put stopper knot on the end and pull the halyards until as much as possible is out of the bottom of the mast. This all drops into the anchor well to minimise UV damage over winter. Never actually wash them. ol'will

 

[bignick]

Get yourself one of these:
Beal rope brush – F.R. Jones & Son

they are really good.

 

[ashtead]

Take them to a marina washing machine in a suitable pillowcase ?

 

[Refueler]

I wash with no spin ....

Coil ropes ... thin tie lines to hold coils - Shoe laces are excellent ! ... or zip ties - but do not cut the ends as the cut ends are jaggy and snag the rope.

I never use pillow case