[C320-list] Halyards: clean or replace

[Graeme Clark]

Scott

A very popular product for cleaning lines on this side of the pond is called “Patio Magic”. As the name suggests it is supposed to be for cleaning green algae etc from paving stones. You don’t scrub, it does it’s work over time once dry

Sailors here have been using it for years with no ill effects on the strength

The active ingredient is Benzalkonium chloride. Maybe you have something similar in the USA

It won’t clean the grey dirt off but it gets rid of the green and keeps them that way all season

Graeme

Sent from my iPhone

> On 28 Jun 2019, at 16:37, Scott Thompson <surprise at thompson87.com> wrote:
> 
> My main halyard is pretty grungy, particularly the part that sits out in the weather when the boat is not in use. I switched it end-for-end a few seasons back to take advantage of the fact that the cockpit tail was still in good shape. I'm wondering if anyone has had success cleaning halyards. I do not race, and as far as I know I still have the original halyard. It appears to be in good shape apart from dirt, mildew (or whatever that green stuff is), etc.
> 
> I have the same issues with my rarely used spinnaker halyard. Less so with the genoa halyard since less of it sits out in the weather over the course of a year.
> 
> The yard suggested I replace all of the halyards, but if there is a safe way to clean them without compromising their strength that seems preferable.
> 
> BTW, if I do replace, what do people like in the way of replacement line for a boat that does not race?
> 
> -- 
> Scott Thompson
> Surprise, #653
>