New Halyard wire/rope or all rope?

[duncan99210]

I need to replace the main halyard on Rampage. At present, it's a rope/wire one. My next door neighbour here in Gouvia, who also a Bavaria has a rope halyard. My question is, can I replace the wire/rope halyard with an all rope one or muct I stick to the original specification?

Look forward to the forum's views on the topic!

 

[Robin]

Rope is fine, Dyneema is best for high loads and minimum stretch but is pricey. One thing to check is if the masthead sheave has a 'U' shaped groove or a 'V' shaped one, the 'V' is for all wire halyards and might chafe rope.

 

[William_H]

Halyard

Low stretch dynema/ spectra or similar rope is now commonly used in place of wire with a rope tail. If you have to pay someone to do a wire to rope splice then it is a lot cheaper. Some say you need to change the sheave at the top for one suitable for rope although I have not bothered. You may also need to down size the jambers or cleats to suit the new rope.
Having said that I found that on my 21fter the 6mm spectra jib halyard did stretch and had to be retightened after a bit of sailing while the now 8mm is a lot more stable in stretch. Currently I have wire and rope on main and spectra jib halyard. I do like the wire you just know it will not stretch. It does take all the pull of your main sheet and vang.
When you buy the rope get it extra long so you can occasionally move it on the sheaves to minimise or spread wear. Use a knot at the sail. good luck olewill

 

[ukmctc]

I've had both on my trapper and they both worked as well as each other, so yes you can.

 

[gardenshed]

Spectra/Dyneema is the way to go. long enough that if there is any chafe/wear close to the shackle, you can shorten it and extend its life, then end for end it in a decade or so to extend the life even further.
Braid on braid rope is an alternative, however it will stretch and once loaded, will creep sightly and require re-tensioning. Tried this, didn't like it and use braid on braid for topping lift, spinnaker hayard and back up genoa halyard.
for a Bav 38, 12mm would be OK
I've had main and Genoa halyards like this for five years and wouldn't go back to wire/rope halyards. Similar size boat to yours, probaby heavier displacement and larger rig.

 

[Seajet]

I presume it's being taken for granted, but the important bit no-one is mentioning is the all-rope halliard has no joins to either part or jam on something !

 

[AIDY]

I replaced my half wire / rope halyards with dynema.. due not finding anyone to splice wire / rope these days.... dynema is good but difficult to splice. you may need to change your pulleys at the top of the mast.

 

[bedouin]

I was thinking of doing this as my old wire/rope halyards are looking rather the worse for wear.

However I think the sheaves at the top of the mast are too narrow to fit a 12mm rope (even 10mm could be tight) and it is probably very difficult to fit wider ones

 

[Conachair]

I was thinking of doing this as my old wire/rope halyards are looking rather the worse for wear.

However I think the sheaves at the top of the mast are too narrow to fit a 12mm rope (even 10mm could be tight) and it is probably very difficult to fit wider ones

Depending on the size or your mast you might find something like amsteel blue would suit. http://www.amazon.com/Amsteel-Winch...IUOQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294142913&sr=8-1
Amazing stuff, but not cheap. Downside is it slippy, might take a lot of turns on the winch to get a bite on it. I haven't used amsteel blue but have played with tech 12, which is amazing as well, easy to splice, increadably strong and very low stretch.

Edit. tech 12 is slippy, not sure about amsteel.

 

[duncan99210]

Many thanks for all the above. I think I need to send SWMBO to the top of the mast to check out the pully there before deciding which to go for.....

 

[boatropes]

mast top sheeve design/size?

Many thanks for all the above. I think I need to send SWMBO to the top of the mast to check out the pully there before deciding which to go for.....

If the decision is b-on-b with low stretch characteristics (my brand 1.9% at 20% BL) I'd be happy to quote/send sample. My 10mm is a generously sized one (~10.5mm) and could be very suitable and very economic (£0.90/mtr). Unless you are seriously racing in which case dyneema/spectra is needed (I don't stock it) as others point out.
Barry