Need to replace halyard 1983 H31

pateco

.
Aug 12, 2014
2,207
Hunter 31 (1983) Pompano Beach FL
I need to replace the main halyard on my 83 H31. Outer jacket is shredded about 15' from the sail end of the line. From looking at it, it looks to be 1/2", but this website suggest 7/16" What is on your boat?

Also, I am trying to decide what line to use. StaSet, StaSet-X, or something else. What would you suggest?

Check out my restoration at The Stargazer Adventure
 
Jan 6, 2010
1,520
Pat,

If your present halyard is up & running, you can use this to install the new halyard.
There are ways of stitching the old end to the new end, some use duct tape. I would thread both ends together with a strong nylon line & a longer needle. This is especially true if you have internal mast halyards. Sometimes heating the needle makes it easier. There are some threads on here that deal with doing this. It's basically an end-to-end rope connection.

For deciding which size line to use, your manual will have this info. If no manual, ask the guys on this site. They will point you to it. If the original had a wire-rope setup, the top sheaves may be alittle different, so the correct size line will make all the difference in ease for hoisting your sail. Too big a line, hoisting will be harder.

I would think the Hunter forum or the dealer online will have the manuals for download.

Good Luck,

CR
 

pateco

.
Aug 12, 2014
2,207
Hunter 31 (1983) Pompano Beach FL
Pat,

If your present halyard is up & running, you can use this to install the new halyard.
There are ways of stitching the old end to the new end, some use duct tape. I would thread both ends together with a strong nylon line & a longer needle. This is especially true if you have internal mast halyards. Sometimes heating the needle makes it easier. There are some threads on here that deal with doing this. It's basically an end-to-end rope connection.

For deciding which size line to use, your manual will have this info. If no manual, ask the guys on this site. They will point you to it. If the original had a wire-rope setup, the top sheaves may be alittle different, so the correct size line will make all the difference in ease for hoisting your sail. Too big a line, hoisting will be harder.

I would think the Hunter forum or the dealer online will have the manuals for download.

Good Luck,

CR
Thanks Captnron,

Like I said the website and manual say 7/16" , but I swear the existing line is 1/2" Hopefully another H31 owner can add their input.

I am taking my original owners manual and spec sheet with a grain of salt ever since I noticed it said I had a full keel while my boat actually has the shoal draft keel.

Thanks Again

Chip Packard
 
Nov 23, 2011
87
Hunter H31 Kent Island Yacht Club
I have an 84 H31 I used 1/2 for the mainsheet then replaced it with 7/16. The locks don't allow 1/2". My rigger thought 3/8 would be just fine.
 
Jan 6, 2010
1,520
Thanks Captnron,

Like I said the website and manual say 7/16" , but I swear the existing line is 1/2" Hopefully another H31 owner can add their input.

I am taking my original owners manual and spec sheet with a grain of salt ever since I noticed it said I had a full keel while my boat actually has the shoal draft keel.

Thanks Again

Chip Packard
Pat,

I have a 1980 C30 setup originally for a wire-rope setup. My specs called for a 7/16" halyard. I replaced the wire-rope with a 1/2" all-rope & had a helleva time to hoist & just as tuff a time pulling it back down. Luckily, my masthead crane cracked & I had to replace it.

The new sheaves were different from the orig. ones. Now with a 7/16", my sail goes up like butter & I now have to control the line while dropping the main or it quickly falls to the boom. It's now like sex only, minus any unplanned pregnancies.

So, trust the specs pal, they're written for a reason.

CR
 

pateco

.
Aug 12, 2014
2,207
Hunter 31 (1983) Pompano Beach FL
Ok, so I have decided to go 7/16". Cam locks say they will work with either 7/16" or 1/2".

Nex question is whether to go with standard StaSet, or something stronger like StaSet-X
 
Jan 6, 2010
1,520
Pat,

For type of halyard, I use a low stretch line. I don't go heavily into the semantics or line differences however, I use double braided lines mostly for non/low stretch.

I also use different color lines on my boat.

My main, headsail & spares are white.
My furling line is red.
My traveler lines are green for STBD & red for PORT.

CR
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
The original specs from Hunter called for 1/2" line. I personally think it was too large and caused extra friction. We replaced our several years ago with Sta-setX (not a good choice).

Check out the prices and quality of line from this website. Good prices & service.
 
Oct 14, 2005
2,191
1983 Hunter H34 North East, MD
Pateco, go with the 7/16" or you will find that the 1/2" is too stiff to run will through the mast head sheeves and will not drop the main without a downhaul or someone at the mast to pull it down. I have 113 feet of 1/2" Sta-set X at an excellent price if you would rather...

Sta-set X should be adequate for a cruising boat, but you can spend much more for a smaller, higher strength line. It's not so much just a matter of strength, but a minimization of stretch that you need in a halyard. Sta-set X has much less stretch than regular Sta-set.
 

pateco

.
Aug 12, 2014
2,207
Hunter 31 (1983) Pompano Beach FL
Pateco, go with the 7/16" or you will find that the 1/2" is too stiff to run will through the mast head sheeves and will not drop the main without a downhaul or someone at the mast to pull it down. I have 113 feet of 1/2" Sta-set X at an excellent price if you would rather...

Sta-set X should be adequate for a cruising boat, but you can spend much more for a smaller, higher strength line. It's not so much just a matter of strength, but a minimization of stretch that you need in a halyard. Sta-set X has much less stretch than regular Sta-set.
Dan,

You have 113 feet of 1/2" or 7/16"? I am leaning towards 7/16"