To knot or knot to knot or splice the halyard.

[tt65]

Any one got any thoughts on this? I am planning to replace the halyards on my Fulmar. The existing halyards are spliced. The fore halyard certainly shows signs of abrasion along most of the length of the splice, the main seems OK.

I am thinking that in future I will knot them to their respective shackles rather than use the longer splices.

Any interesting thoughts will be much appreciated as I have started to dither again.

 

[jerryat]

Hi tt65,

I have a Fulmar as well, but use a braid to stainless wire combination, so there is a Talurit type joint holding the shackle in place. Personally I'd stick to a proper splice rather than a knot, as getting to the masthead without the main halyard is 'interesting' to say the least - and I've done it!

If you do go for a knot, I'd do what we do when full-time cruising, and up-size the topping lift so that it can act both as an emergency main halyard, and as a more secure way of getting to the masthead if the main halyard breaks/needs sorting etc.

 

[trouville]

I agree splice its far neater

 

[Danny]

Granted a splice is neat but it thickens and stiffens the halyard, usually just where it goes around the sheave. I'd go for a buntline hitch to the shackle. That way it's easy to chop the top end of the halyard off when it gets worn. The buntline is secure - in fact it's usually a pig to undo after a while!

 

[tt65]

Hey, thanks for that, I have stopped dithering now and the plan is that both halyards forward of the mast will be on knots and the main halyard will be spliced.

Jerryat, about the topping lift, I have always expected to be able to use it to place a more substantial line in it's place if I need to get to the mast top without a main halyard. (Never been put to the test though) When I have had to go up the mast on the main halyard, I do not rely on the splice but I knot/shackle it to my old wood/rope bosuns chair.

 

[jerryat]

>>Jerryat, about the topping lift, I have always expected to be able to use it to place a more substantial line in it's place if I need to get to the mast top without a main halyard. (Never been put to the test though) When I have had to go up the mast on the main halyard, I do not rely on the splice but I knot/shackle it to my old wood/rope bosuns chair. <<

Yes, I used to think about pulling another line/halyard through in place of the rather thin topping lift if the main halyard ever broke, but then thought about doing that on passage or in a seaway.

Ok, it's not the end of the world if your just popping X-channel, because your never far from land and it could wait until your anchored or berthed. But when longer distance cruising, it could be much more difficult/critical, so we always change the thin topping lift for a main halyard equivalent before setting off.

Certainly agree re tying the bosun's chair on rather than using the shackle!

 

[AIDY]

i have a mix of both onboard. A halyard knot works well.

 

[William_H]

Yes knot the halyard but not to a shackle but rather straight on to the sail. This way every time you remove the sail you can have a fresh bit of halyard at the sheave and also the jammer so giving a longer life to the halyard.
Yes don't pull the halyard up to the mast top without a sail or worse through the sheave. These comments more appropriate fort spin and for those of us who will not have a roll up jib. olewill