[C320-list] Halyards: clean or replace

[Joe Luciano]

I soak mine in a large bucket with warm water and oxy-clean for about 4 hours.  It’s chlorine free.  I hit the tougher areas with nylon bristle brush after that, and rinse with fresh water.  Does wonders for removing the green grunge.  I also agree that if they are more than 15 years old, you’ve likely gotten your money’s worth and relpacement is a good way to go.  It’s amazing how much nicer a new line feels in your hand and how much easier it moves across sheaves and blocks…..

Joe Luciano
Second Wind
2005 C-320
Anacortes, WA

> On Jun 28, 2019, at 10:26 AM, Jack Brennan <jackbrennan at bellsouth.net> wrote:
> 
> Hi Scott:
> 
> If the lines are original or close to it, it’s not worth it to clean. Twenty-year-old halyards have lost a lot of their strength, and you don’t want one to break, especially when they are routed inside the mast, where they are really difficult to replace.
> 
> You can buy Sta-Set for 50 to 70 cents a foot at defender.com, one of the cheaper improvements you can do to your 320.  Or you can upgrade to more expensive line, although I don’t think that’s worth it for cruising.
> 
> Replacing halyards is simple. Sew the two ends together with strong thread – I use waxed sail-repair thread – then put one layer of tape over where the threads are. Pull it slowly through the sheaves; you’ll get a small bit of resistance from the tape being there.
> 
> Jack Brennan
> Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320, no. 528
> Tierra Verde, Fl.
> Dolphin Cruising Club of Tampa Bay
>