switch from wire/braid halyards to cruising dyneema - maybe

[djs]

Main and headsail halyards are currently wire spliced to 14mm braid on Braid.

Both need replacing. I need to decide whether to replace like-for-like or go up to date with cruising dyneema.

I'm aware that I should also change the sheaves if switching from wire which will add more expense. Mast is up at the mo'.

The rig is quite tall and both halyards are over 35m long so switching to dyneema isn't going to be cheap. Sails are new (its been an expensive year!) so will benefit from having low stretch halyards.

Will switching to dyneema be so much better than wire to justify the extra cost? and if switching what diameter dyneema could i safely go down to from the existing 14mm braid on braid? We are planning on extended cruising and racing is not on the agenda. Boat is a Hans Christian 43 so built for comford not speed but we do like to make good speed if we have the breeze for it.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts, recommendations and experience.

Dave

 

[sailorman]

i changed from wire to dyneema on original sheaves, no issues yet after 10 yrs,

 

[yoda]

At a guess 12mm dyneema would do the job and could be confirmed with a quick check on safe working load for it compared with that for 14mm braid on braid. I dropped from 14mm wire/ braid to 12mm dyneema and find it very satisfactory and much nicer to handle everything.

Yoda

 

[onesea]

I had similar issue thread a couple of years back:
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?323038-Halyards

Went for cruising dyneema would not look back.

My only caution if your clutches are worn then you may well be looking to replace those as well... Which is not a cheap sport then again as I said I still would not look back..

 

[simonfraser]

My only caution if your clutches are worn then you may well be looking to replace those as well... Which is not a cheap sport then again as I said I still would not look back..

Or the wrong internal diameter ....

Dyneema is harden to grip, I have to wrap my dyneema asymmetric halyard round the winch and tie it on, else it slips in the new correct diameter lewmar clutch.

 

[Javelin]

cruising dyneema is the way to go.

You don't need to go too big a dia though.
10mm is enough tbh and for the jib I'd be tempted to go 8mm.

 

[djs]

cruising dyneema is the way to go.

You don't need to go too big a dia though.
10mm is enough tbh and for the jib I'd be tempted to go 8mm.

At those diameters cost certainly starts to get less intimidating!
Thanks for the input folks. Now the search for the best price...

Dave

 

[onesea]

Or the wrong internal diameter ....

Dyneema is harden to grip, I have to wrap my dyneema asymmetric halyard round the winch and tie it on, else it slips in the new correct diameter lewmar clutch.

I replaced mine with Lewmar clutches, still only 12 months on but not a sign of a slip yet... Choice of clutch was dictated by shape of boat, still think it was a good choice though...

 

[nigelmercier]

i changed from wire to dyneema on original sheaves, no issues yet after 10 yrs...

... I dropped from 14mm wire/ braid to 12mm dyneema and find it very satisfactory and much nicer to handle everything.

Ditto, ditto.

The snap-shackle end has a loop made out of the core only, so I made a conical cover to protect it.

 

[RAI]

i changed from wire to dyneema on original sheaves, no issues yet after 10 yrs,

+1, 8 mm doing fine.

 

[sailorman]

Ditto, ditto.

The snap-shackle end has a loop made out of the core only, so I made a conical cover to protect it.

mine are tied on so i can end for end them

 

[johnalison]

mine are tied on so i can end for end them

I've not handled Dyneema; will it take a "halyard knot"?

 

[rudolph_hart]

I've not handled Dyneema; will it take a "halyard knot"?

Yes. All mine are halyard knotted.

 

[johnalison]

Yes. All mine are halyard knotted.

Ta. I was thinking of changing mine soon.