[C320-list] Replace Main Halyard

[Scott Thompson]

I would not use Staset X for the main halyard.  It's too stiff and hard 
to handle.  It's OK for a jib halyard with roller furling, but not if 
you are putting the sail up and down every day.  Better to go with 
regular StaSet, or with something more exotic if you are worried about 
stretch.

StaSet X is also no fun to splice (speaking from personal experience 
here), and doesn't knot well.

If you want to learn to splice, a "reeving splice" in the tail of the 
new halyard is a good first project.  This is a little loop sewn into 
the tail only so that it has no greater diameter than the line itself. 
You can use it to pull the halyard through using a messenger line.  (You 
can run a messenger line by sewing or taping to the tail end of the old 
halyard before you pull it out.)  The advantage of this approach is that 
you can remove the halyard easily and quickly any time you want in the 
future.

The tape methods work, but are messy and difficult in my experience. 
Getting the tape off the halyard when you are done is the messy part, if 
you've really rolled it on tightly as you should.

Scott Thompson

Chris Burti wrote:
> 127 feet of 1/2" Stayset or Stayset X. Do not use 7/16" as it will not run
> freely through the clutch after it weathers a little.
> 
> Carefully butt the ends of the old and new together, laying them centered
> lengthwise along a 24" length of duct tape. Carefully, roll up the tape like
> a cigarette rolling paper. This 'joint' will not pull apart with my 260+
> pounds hanging on it and it will not hang up on the exit boxes, blocks or
> even the clutches. You just pull the old one into the cockpit...just make
> sure the bitter end of the new halyard is secured before you start
> pulling....
> 
> On Wed, Jul 1, 2009 at 4:23 PM, <mikepxx at adelphia.net> wrote:
> 
>> I need to replace my main halyard and I have a few questions.
>>
>> 1) what's the best way to do this? Can I do it without going up the mast?
>> 2) type and size (length and diameter) of replacement?
>>
>> My hull number is 734 and my sailing consists of coastal cruising.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Mike P
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>>
> 
> 

-- 
Scott Thompson
Surprise, #653