[C320-list] Replace Main Halyard

[Denny Browne]

I have put a reeving splice on all of my halyards and it's really handy. I
just tie a messenger line to the reeving splice with a simple bowline and
have had no problems at all. No tape to mess with, but you do need to keep a
100'  of 1/8" messenger line handy. You also need to hang onto the messenger
line when the halyard tail exits the mast so it doesn't run away from you.

Good advice on the Sta-Set X, both on the flexibility and the difficult
splice. I replaced the polyester core of the OEM main halyard with 1/4"
Vectrus, which is vastly superior and quite easy to splice. At $1.85/foot
(current price for New England V12 at West Marine), it's comparable to the
$2.40/foot 8mm (5/16") V100. Either is considerably stronger and better
running than 3/8" Sta-Set or Sta-Set X. Racers and sailmakers will tell you
that Vectran is a little better than Dynema for a static load like a main or
jib halyard, but either fiber is a lot better than polyester. When the
halyard stretches, the luff loosens, making the sail fuller and less able to
point close to the wind.

By the way, if you want a 110' halyard, and you're going to put a proper eye
splice at the shackle end, you should probably buy about 113' of line.
Better to have it a couple feet too long than a couple of feet too short,
even on the main halyard. OEM recommendation is 115', but it seems 110'
should be fine. 108' might be a little short.

Denny Browne
A Cappella
Redondo Beach

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Scott Thompson
Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 7:43 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Replace Main Halyard

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