Changed my halyards this morning...

[Brian D]

I ended up ordering the halyards with shackles from SBO. Glad I did. They came very quickly and the shackles were the type that I could put in the pre-made loops. So I was ready, just needed to get to the boat and do it.

What a nervous wreck I was. I was so scared that the two would separate and I would be stuck halyard-less. But, it went off without a (major) hitch.

Started with the jib halyard. It was in the worst condition and if the new halyard separated from the old, it would be not great loss. At least I could still sail on main alone.

I taped the shackle end of the old halyard and cut it. Then I ran some thin wire (like small paper clips) in both the old and new halyards. Put a small piece of tape wrap and pulled the old out. New halyard went in without a hitch. That boosted my confidence up very quickly. But I still had the main to do.

I prepped the main the same way as the jib. But when the joint got to the sheave, it all stopped. Couldn't move forward or backwards. My heart just dropped into my stomach. So I figured I had nothing to loose but the halyard and I gave the old a slight tug. Then I felt the old start to drop through the mast. But the new was also moving up at the same speed. Success! LOL

The old halyards are in a bucket soaking for a good cleaning. Then I plan on making spring lines from them. Nice wind-fall. LOL

So now both halyards are done. Next is to clean the mast track. Any recommendations for that?

 

[Davidasailor26]

The old halyards are in a bucket soaking for a good cleaning. Then I plan on making spring lines from them. Nice wind-fall. LOL

Be careful trying to repurpose running rigging as dock lines. Running rigging like halyards are designed not to stretch, but dock lines need a certain amount of stretch to absorb the shock of stopping a moving boat. Check out articles like http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/docklines-casey.asp for more info.

 

[dparilla]

Mast Track

Slowly and with a tooth brush and lots of H20 (and a little soap) and some more H2O , clean the track (a bosun's chair may help.) Then use some McLube Sailkote to line the track and the slugs/cars that ride in/on it. That's my preventative, and it seems to work for me.

 

[Brian D]

Davidasailor26, good point. I have dock line snubbers that I will use. That should allow for some stretch.

Dan, maybe I can build a cleaning brush that can move up and down the track. Not too keen about bosun chairs. LOL

 

[kenn]

Do you think you have a mast slot problem? You could try a spare slug in the slot, clip the halyard to it (and another rope as a downhaul!!!) then just hoist it to see what resistance you encounter.

I suppose you could also get a scrap of old tea-towel, lash it somehow to the same slug, and hoist/lower that to give the track a sweep.

 

[Brian D]

Kenn, no problem that I know of, but yeah, was thinking along the same lines as you. Even a modified slug with old toothbrushes attached. LOL Anything but the bosun's chair. LOL Although I have new halyards now so there should be no problem lifting me. Just don't want to unless I HAVE TO! LOL

 

[dparilla]

An old slug well wrapped with a rag and a uphaul and downhaul will work well too. Don't forget the mclube! The sailkote works wonders.

 

[Doc_holiday]

I have found a stick of ChapStik does a good job. Mash it in between a few upper slugs and raise and lower the sail a couple times. I keep a spare stick in my tool box in the event I feel slugs with resistance. This of course, is not meant to clean the slot but it makes for a good lube.