Mast rail

[GrantBrown]

When you splice the new halyard to the old one, is it better to attach the new halyard to the head(sail) end of the old halyard and pull it down through the mast or attach it to the other(loose) end and pull it up through the mast? Or, does it matter?

 

[jviss]

When you splice the new halyard to the old one, is it better to attach the new halyard to the head(sail) end of the old halyard and pull it down through the mast or attach it to the other(loose) end and pull it up through the mast? Or, does it matter?

That depends. If you have a shackle for the sail headboard spliced to the new halyard, then you can't pull that end through; you'd have to attach the other end to the sail end of the old halyard and pull it up. If the old halyard has a shackle spliced, you'll have to cut that off first.

 

[Parsons]

The only risky part of joining and running fresh halyards comes at the top block itself. That is the point where both tension and angles are at their maximum, and where your joint may come apart. Personally, I use the "paperclip opened up; buried in both ends; and then wrapped in electrical tape" method as most secure, but you want to make the joint flexible so that it flows over that sheave at the top smoothly. A good trick is to flick the new line going up a little when you are about to go around the sheave so that reduces the angle as it passes over the top and takes off the full weight of the line. For that reason, I would pull down the mast, and send the new line up the outside, if that is an option considering shackles as discussed by @jviss .

 

[GrantBrown]

What do y-all think about splicing kits? Any recommendations?
Samson Splicing Kit for lines from 1/4" to 1/2"
$47.00

 

[jssailem]

splicing kits

I like them. I have the one you post. It works OK. The issue I have with it is you are stuffing a line that does not like to stuff into the ends of the needles and then taping up in hopes it does not fall out.

I found a couple that I like better. They serve different purposes.
The D-Splice is terrific. I use it on Dyneema single braid line to make soft shackles. Best tool for the task.



I like the SELMA Fid's better than the Sampson ones. They have a little hook to catch the line you are going to use tot make an eye splice. The tape and line holds better.


You will also find that a spike is helpful to open up or tighten knots.


You will need something to cut lines. Regular scissors are good for some tasks, especially snipping threads and whipping twine.

For cutting, specifically Dyneema or UHMwPE (Ultra High Molecular weight Polyethylene) or HMPE (High Modulus Polyethylene) fibre I prefer a knife with a ceramic blade.
The knife I like I bought from Marine – Ceramic Knife.org
or

Have fun... MARLINESPIKE SEAMANSHIP is a dying art. Keep it Alive.

 

[william24424]

When you get new sails, give sailmaker an old slide to match up so there's no lost in translation about size & fit.

 

[Richard19068]

When you get new sails, give sailmaker an old slide to match up so there's no lost in translation about size & fit.

Good point. I had that problem even when the sailmaker came to look over things before building the sail. The joyful day of raising the new main was spoiled by the slugs not fitting the track.

I was surprised that it happened but it did. Hopefully very rare.