I've changed out most of my running rigging on my Cal 2-25 and I've left the hardest for last, the halyards. I'm trying to think of a way to change them without A. un-stepping the mast. B. Going up the mast. My halyards are (according to the manual) 3/8 yacht braid and 1/8 stainless steel cable. I was thinking, I could cut the shackle off the old halyard and connect (somehow) the free rope end of the new halyard to it, then pull the new halyard up over the sheave and down through the mast and then out of the slot in the side of the mast. What I don't really know is how much clearance there is at the masthead sheave and whether or not the 3/8 line will pass over the sheave that normally holds 1/8 cable. Does any one have any experience with threading a new halyard this way?
Changing out new halyards
- Thread starter Gary_H
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I had the same sort of halyard
set up on my old C&C. I replaced the main halyard by attaching a very small diameter messenger line to the rope end and pulling the wire end down. I was easily able to draw the 3/8" rope over the wire sheave at the masthead (as long as you don't put too much pressure on it as I think it just slides over the edges of the sheave). I then reattached the messenger line to the rope end of the new halyard and hauled it back over the sheave in reverse order. I kept the old halyard in tact and had a spare.
set up on my old C&C. I replaced the main halyard by attaching a very small diameter messenger line to the rope end and pulling the wire end down. I was easily able to draw the 3/8" rope over the wire sheave at the masthead (as long as you don't put too much pressure on it as I think it just slides over the edges of the sheave). I then reattached the messenger line to the rope end of the new halyard and hauled it back over the sheave in reverse order. I kept the old halyard in tact and had a spare.
Your idea is better
I like your idea better. I would not have to cut the old halyard and can keep it as a spare like you said. I really appreciate the tip.
I like your idea better. I would not have to cut the old halyard and can keep it as a spare like you said. I really appreciate the tip.
The key word here is attaching
When I did this on my previous boat, I used duct tape to attach the lines!!! When the halyard got "stuck" because the taped ends wouldn't fit thru the sheave, I of course pulled hard! The tape separated and the halyard fell to the deck with the messenger line....Now I simply sew the two lines together...the small diameter messenger and the line I'm replacing. Never a problem.
When I did this on my previous boat, I used duct tape to attach the lines!!! When the halyard got "stuck" because the taped ends wouldn't fit thru the sheave, I of course pulled hard! The tape separated and the halyard fell to the deck with the messenger line....Now I simply sew the two lines together...the small diameter messenger and the line I'm replacing. Never a problem.
Harry is of course right...
When I said to "attach" the messenger to the old halyard I should have said it could be done in a number of ways: (1) sewing the two lines is certainly a good and secure way to "attach" these lines; (2) but I have also done it by using whipping thread to form a loop on the old halyard and then I tie the messenger line to the loop with a bowline or buntline hitch. I would never recommend taping these two lines together. When you are pulling this over the mast head sheave, do it gently. If it hangs up, lightly pull the messenger and the old halyard back and forth over the sheave. It should not hang up there unless you have a burr on the sheave -- in which case you need to go aloft in any event.
When I said to "attach" the messenger to the old halyard I should have said it could be done in a number of ways: (1) sewing the two lines is certainly a good and secure way to "attach" these lines; (2) but I have also done it by using whipping thread to form a loop on the old halyard and then I tie the messenger line to the loop with a bowline or buntline hitch. I would never recommend taping these two lines together. When you are pulling this over the mast head sheave, do it gently. If it hangs up, lightly pull the messenger and the old halyard back and forth over the sheave. It should not hang up there unless you have a burr on the sheave -- in which case you need to go aloft in any event.
This method has worked for us.
Gary: We have used this method several times with great success. We used to sew them together. Once we learned about the paper clip we never went back. Very quick and easy. Part of this is to be sure that you only use enough tape to cover the clip and align the ends of the line. The real strength is in the paper clip.
Gary: We have used this method several times with great success. We used to sew them together. Once we learned about the paper clip we never went back. Very quick and easy. Part of this is to be sure that you only use enough tape to cover the clip and align the ends of the line. The real strength is in the paper clip.
Great Ideas
I was wondering what the best way to connect them would be. The paperclip and tape idea looks good. I'll try it with the spare jib halyard first.
I was wondering what the best way to connect them would be. The paperclip and tape idea looks good. I'll try it with the spare jib halyard first.
I used small zip ties to attach messenger
to halyard. I melted both ends first and the poked the zip tie through the line about 1/2" back on each line. The zip loop passes through the sheeves smooth as silk. Frank
to halyard. I melted both ends first and the poked the zip tie through the line about 1/2" back on each line. The zip loop passes through the sheeves smooth as silk. Frank
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