I replaced my old wire to rope equipment with "tapered" halyards because the existing masthead and paired sheaves limited the line diameter to about 1/4 inch. On my Catalina 27 I covered 80 feet of 3/16" Amsteel 12 with a 40 foot 5/16" Samson LS cover. I finished the shackle end with a "luggage tag" eye splice. Here's an example from Annapolis Performance Sailing
www.apsltd.com ... but I made them myself, the cover splice(taper) and eye splice are fairly easy, instructions are on the Samson Website.
Cover Splice on 12 Strand
We add a durable polyester cover like Yale's cover-only or Samson Ice to high-strength, low-stretch Ultrex 12, Excel D12, Tech 12, Amsteel 12 or Vectrus 12 so that they can be used as halyards. Where the halyard is cleated, clutched, winched and handled, the cover protects the core from abrasion. The result is minimum weight aloft. You may even choose to cover only the "working area" of the halyard, leaving the bitter end uncovered so there's less tail to deal with when the sail's hoisted. Please specify your length requirements.
To ensure your specific rigging needs are communicated correctly, please call us at 800-729-9767 with your requirements.
APS Part Number: RIGCO12S
Rigging Charge: $28.00 each
12 Strand 'Luggage Tag' Splice
Applies to single braids (Vectrus 12, Ultrex 12 and AmSteel 12) or the uncovered cores of high tech double braids (Crystalyne, V2, Maxibraid Plus, D2 and Warp Speed). Basically, a large eye splice that attaches like a luggage tag to a suitcase handle. Use it to attach your halyard shackle for convenient replacement, or to securely attach a sheet directly to a sail's tack or clew, avoiding the weight of a shackle. Includes Whiplock™. This splice will consume two feet of line, so make sure your order your line long enough.
To ensure your specific rigging needs are communicated correctly, please call us at 800-729-9767 with your requirements.
APS Part Number: RIGEYE12S
Rigging Charge: $12.00 per splice
