Halyard replacement
- Thread starter 1977oday22
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2 options, buy the new line and splice the shackles on (assuming the originals are still OK. Yo uca nbuy the line from West Marine, D&R or I think this (Sailboatowners.com) web site has line.
If you aren't confident in your splicing abilities, Rudy at D&R will sell you new. pre-made (by him) halyards, the disadvantge is they come with the shackles since there isn't a way to get the shackles on after the splice with out modifying the shackles. Also, paying Rudy (or anyone else... not trying to pick on Rudy!) to do those 2 splices will cost more than hte cost of the tools to make the slices yourself. Instructions are on-line at either the New England Ropes website or the Sampson Ropes website. Other brands may also have instructions, just be sure that the intructions match the brand of tool (Fid) that you use. The process is basically the same, but technique varies slightly by Fid brand.
If you go to a local rope supplier (Marine Store?) they probably could just copy your old halyards and splice on the shackles, or may know a local person who does splicing for people, cost may be $10-12 for each splice.
For your 1977 O'DAY 22 the Main Halyard is 46' 7" and the jib halyard is 46' 4". Both are 5/16" diam. You want Dacron (polyester) double-braid.
If you are going to splice the shackles on yourself, I'd plan on buying about 2-3' extra line........ in case you need to cut off your first try at splicing (experience is best teacher......and if the halyard is too long....well it can be shortened ,but you can't make it longer once line is cut!)
If you aren't confident in your splicing abilities, Rudy at D&R will sell you new. pre-made (by him) halyards, the disadvantge is they come with the shackles since there isn't a way to get the shackles on after the splice with out modifying the shackles. Also, paying Rudy (or anyone else... not trying to pick on Rudy!) to do those 2 splices will cost more than hte cost of the tools to make the slices yourself. Instructions are on-line at either the New England Ropes website or the Sampson Ropes website. Other brands may also have instructions, just be sure that the intructions match the brand of tool (Fid) that you use. The process is basically the same, but technique varies slightly by Fid brand.
If you go to a local rope supplier (Marine Store?) they probably could just copy your old halyards and splice on the shackles, or may know a local person who does splicing for people, cost may be $10-12 for each splice.
For your 1977 O'DAY 22 the Main Halyard is 46' 7" and the jib halyard is 46' 4". Both are 5/16" diam. You want Dacron (polyester) double-braid.
If you are going to splice the shackles on yourself, I'd plan on buying about 2-3' extra line........ in case you need to cut off your first try at splicing (experience is best teacher......and if the halyard is too long....well it can be shortened ,but you can't make it longer once line is cut!)
Kevin,
I bought two 5/16" halyards off Rudy a couple of years ago and made the splices myself. He sells STA-Set X and I think I got it cheaper off him than Worst Marine was selling it for.
I'm not too good at splicing braid and I had a set of directions to go by that I took out of one of my books that is very similar to the directions in the second link below.
I'm more proficient at splicing three strand line than I am in splicing braid line, so if I can do it anyone can do it. I finished the eye splice off with a palm and needle whipping which really secures the eye splice and looks real fancy and nautical.
Just measure out each of your halyards and add some extra line for at least two splices on each line. Some day you may want to remove the halyard and invert it by cutting off the old eye splice and making a new eye splice on the other end. I do this to my halyards as they start to get a little worn. Check out these links and find the directions that apply to the braid that you're buying and then go for it. You'll need a 5/16" metal fid, a pusher tool, some masking tape, and a magic marker.
Joe
http://www.samsonrope.com/splicing-instructions.cfm
http://www.samsonrope.com/site_files/DB_C1_EyeSplice_Rev.pdf
Making an eye splice is not overly difficult, but making one that small is. Knothead is a great tutor and he helped me learn an end to end splice for my stupid Hood furler by giving me some tips via email.
I have eye splices on my halyards and I'll be cutting them off soon, in favor of a halyard knot. With the eye splice, the line is wrapped around the mast cleat at practically the same place most of the time, so that it's got a lot more wear in that one location. By going with a knot, I can just cut it off later and change the orientation of the line, with respect to the cleat. Obviously, you can't do that forever, but I think it's a good way to take care of the halyard.
Also, if you plan on splicing, I'd recommend just making your own wire fid. I have sampson fids and they are very difficult to pass through the crossover. A wire fid, made of heavy gauge wire (I use coat hangers) works in the opposite way from a tube fid- you pass it through, then use it to pull the core/cover, rather than attaching the core/cover to the rear end of the fid and pushing everything through. The wire has so little diameter that it makes the crossover a breeze.
I have eye splices on my halyards and I'll be cutting them off soon, in favor of a halyard knot. With the eye splice, the line is wrapped around the mast cleat at practically the same place most of the time, so that it's got a lot more wear in that one location. By going with a knot, I can just cut it off later and change the orientation of the line, with respect to the cleat. Obviously, you can't do that forever, but I think it's a good way to take care of the halyard.
Also, if you plan on splicing, I'd recommend just making your own wire fid. I have sampson fids and they are very difficult to pass through the crossover. A wire fid, made of heavy gauge wire (I use coat hangers) works in the opposite way from a tube fid- you pass it through, then use it to pull the core/cover, rather than attaching the core/cover to the rear end of the fid and pushing everything through. The wire has so little diameter that it makes the crossover a breeze.
You can tell that the guy on the Youtube has done a lot of braid splices.
I heard of a guy up the Cape who was pretty good at doing these and all he used was a coat hanger too. It's quite an art but I don't do enough of them to get good at it.
I suppose it's OK to use a knot instead of an eye splice. It's a matter of preference I guess.
I heard of a guy up the Cape who was pretty good at doing these and all he used was a coat hanger too. It's quite an art but I don't do enough of them to get good at it.
I suppose it's OK to use a knot instead of an eye splice. It's a matter of preference I guess.
All great tips and a wealth of info.... fortunately I have a short bit of time to think about it. As always, I appreciate your opinions!
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