downsizng halyards

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chris

Ok, just took a stroll through the archives but did not really find an answer. I am going to replace my main halyard on 82 H27 (cherubini). Would downsizing the halyard diameter 1/16" of an inch be beneficial? From the archive posts it does seem that this would allow the halyard to travel easier through the top and bottom mast sheaves. I would like to hear from anyone who has done this and if they are happy with the outcome. I would be interested to hear what type of line that you used as well. Thanks! Chris Drifter II
 
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Steve O.

downsize from what?

Probably won't hurt, but you don't state what size you have so kind of hard to give an answer.
 
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chris

I believe currently 1/2"

I believe they are currently 7/16", but I would have to take a drive out to the boat to check. I was thinking of downsizing to 3/8" chris
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
also depends on the line.

Chris: I believe that you will find that it also depends on the line type too. We switched from Sta-set to Sta-set-x and had problems (same size 1/2"). I then replaced the Sta-set-x with 7/16" Sta-set and everything was a-okay.
 
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bob shultz

did that

I just replaced the halyard on my 35.5. Defenders made a new halyard out of 5/16 ultratech. The old halyard was 7/16 braided. The new halyard works very well. The main now drops quickly. The old halyard was chaffing on the sheeve at the top of the mast. No regrets , go for the stronger, thinner line.
 
May 11, 2004
273
RAPTOR Hotfoot 20 Ghost Lake
Big Improvement

My boat is a 1990 and a 1/16" reduction provided a big improvement. I'm no expert but I think there have been big advances in the quality of lines over the last 10 or 20 years, so you don't need as large a diameter as originally specified.
 

Alan

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Jun 2, 2004
4,174
Hunter 35.5 LI, NY
I've been pushing ...

...the idea of downsizing halyard size as long as I've been posting on this forum. Much of the time I get resistance from skippers who think that downsizing sacrifices breaking strength. If you use the right high modulus core you can give up size and still come away with a stronger less stretchy and less friction line. A winner in all respects. Your 27footer can easily get away with a 5/16" high modulis line and still well excede the stats on the old 1/2" double braid. I use 3/8" spectra cored halyards on my 35.5 and have very little turning friction in the blocks and very low stretch as the wind strength increases.
 

Bob F.

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May 6, 2004
60
- - San Diego
I downsized too

on my H376 I went one size smaller with a low stretch line that is actually stronger. I love the change. Main goes up easier, comes down easier.
 
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chris

ok, I'm convinced!

Todays replies are enough to convince me downsizing a 1/16" will make a dramatic improvement in raising and lowering the halyard. The prices here at HOW on precut halyards actually look quite competitive. I will head out to the boat next week to confirm the current diameter. Chris
 
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