Rope Cleaning

[Steve_Jones]

Continuing the cleaning theme..

It's about time many of the ropes got a good clean or replacement. I want to start with the main halyard and have read about a technique where you splice a thin'ish twine to the end of the halyard and then pull the halyard through (it's run internally through the mast) leaving the twine in place. After cleaning/replacing you simple reverse the technique, drawing the halyard effortlessly through the mast...

Seems simple, but is it really that straightforward, or am I going to end up with a halyard jammed half-way up the inside of the mast in a tangle? I'm not great with heights and so clearing jams atop the mast are to be avoided!!

Thanks again!

 

[rob2]

Well, yes it really should be that simple. Sew a loop of twine onto the end of the halliard and then sew the light line onto it. The objective is to leave a joint with no projections and no stiffening so it can pass easily around the radius of the sheaves. In the past I've tried to cheat by simply taping the two together. Sometimes that works, but it can unravel if it jams. Getting new lines down involved removing the crane assembly from the masthead, so be warned! If you make a flexible sewn joint, it will take a few minutes longer, but pretty much guarantees success every time.

Incidentally, I observed that when pressure washing the coachroof, it did a wonderful job on the lines running back to the winches!

Rob.

 

[Steve_Jones]

Incidentally, I observed that when pressure washing the coachroof, it did a wonderful job on the lines running back to the winches!

Rob.

Ooh, that could save some time!! I shall experiment!!

Thanks for the advice re joining the light line, I'll give it a go next weekend.

 

[William_H]

Replacing halyard

The method described sewing one rope to another is the way to replace a halyard. As said with smooth change from one rope to the other.
However I don't think it worth the effort or risk of things going wrong just to wash the halyard.
Just pull it through as far as possible and wash what is outside the mast. olewill

 

[andygc]

I took all of my halyards out last winter. When I made them I made a twine eye as part of the palm and needle whipping on the tail. Just tie a mouse line onto the eye - you don't need to sew it if you can tie a double sheet bend - pull the halyard out and secure the mouse line to the cleats. Halyards and all the sheets and reefing lines into a clean dustbin in the garden, fill with warm water, add normal laundry detergent (in my case Lidl's liquid detergent for colours - because that what SWMBO happened to have around) stir and bounce around every now and then with a big stick for a couple of days, then change to cold water, stir well, leave, stir, drain, refill, stir, leave, stir, leave etc, drain, hang up to dry.

Absolutely no bother getting them back in with the mast back up. I have previously fitted halyards with the mast down - it is much easier with it up - just keep a little bit of tension on the mouse line, or use one that is too thick to slip between the sheave and the sheave box.

Absolutely no effort and nothing to go wrong.

 

[PetiteFleur]

I put all my lines/halyards etc on a cool wash in the washing machine with a non-bio powder. Works very well but tie an old sock over any shackles or metal eyes to pevent damage (and noise) whilst washing.
PS either get SWMBO permission or do it when she's out!

 

[BrendanS]

Ooh, that could save some time!! I shall experiment!!

Thanks for the advice re joining the light line, I'll give it a go next weekend.

Not a great idea to pressure wash ropes or lines of any sort. Once the fibres are blasted apart, especially if you have a half decent power washer, you'll never restore the strength of the original. Machine washing at low temperature would be far preferable

 

[Steve_Jones]

Not a great idea to pressure wash ropes or lines of any sort. Once the fibres are blasted apart, especially if you have a half decent power washer, you'll never restore the strength of the original. Machine washing at low temperature would be far preferable

I knew there would be a catch, I'll stick to the washing machine method.

Congrats on the new job by the way Brendan!!

 

[BrendanS]

Thanks Steve, I'm looking forward to it, though I won't be able to share as many details on the forums or with forumites, on specifics as I would like, though I may be asking people like yourself for info on markets and new innovations, and where things could be developed, though only under NDA etc

 

[jonjo]

The cheapskate Jonjo method is to join the halyard and messenger line with a couple of rolling hitches and then smooth the join with spinnaker tape. There will be some resistance as the lumpy join passes over the masthead sleeve but in 10 or so halyard replacements I have not had one jam.

 

[smeaks]

beware using a power washer.. it can break up the braid and cause the line to become frayed and hairy. Sewing a small line to the halyard is painless and once through the washing mashine the rope will be like new.

 

[BrendanS]

beware using a power washer.. it can break up the braid and cause the line to become frayed and hairy. .

becoming frayed and hairy on the outside is the least of worries, the inside of the rope can be similarly damaged, and the strength decreased, as I mentioned previously. The fraying on the outside is just a cosmetic concern in relation to strength.

 

[puddock]

Incidentally, I observed that when pressure washing the coachroof, it did a wonderful job on the lines running back to the winches!

Rob.

Careful, with the pressure washer ! I wouldn't recommend it. You run a real risk of damaging the internal strands. This may not seem to be a big problem, until you bear in mind that one day you might HAVE to go up the mast, in which case your life could be hanging by a thread - LITERALLY !!!
As an ex climber, I definitely wouldn't take the risk. Just get them down, put them in a bag and toss them in the washing machine - preferably someone elses machine.........


Oh bugger - I really should read ALL the replies before I post my own. Sorry guys.