I have a 1981 Hunter 30 with an internal halyard setup. I would like to replace the Main halyard and would like to know the best way to accomplish this. The current Halyard has a Metal eye at one end and is old, but currently in full working order.
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Easy!
Fred: Here is what we did. I cut the shackle off the ends and sent them to the shop. You may just want to purchase new ones depending on the condition. When we got the new lines, we sewed the old line to the new one (end to end) with wipping line (waxed thread) and wrapped a little rigging tape over the joint. Then you just pull them through. I think that you have an exit point about 4 foot off the deck on your mast. So be careful not to make too much bulk when making the joint and taping. It actually takes longer to prep the joint and take it apart than anything else. If you get too much resistance when you go over the sheave just work it back and forth a little. Be sure not to pull so hard as to break the connection. It sure is nice handling new softer lines. PS: I think that PYACHT has the best price on line at this time.
Fred: Here is what we did. I cut the shackle off the ends and sent them to the shop. You may just want to purchase new ones depending on the condition. When we got the new lines, we sewed the old line to the new one (end to end) with wipping line (waxed thread) and wrapped a little rigging tape over the joint. Then you just pull them through. I think that you have an exit point about 4 foot off the deck on your mast. So be careful not to make too much bulk when making the joint and taping. It actually takes longer to prep the joint and take it apart than anything else. If you get too much resistance when you go over the sheave just work it back and forth a little. Be sure not to pull so hard as to break the connection. It sure is nice handling new softer lines. PS: I think that PYACHT has the best price on line at this time.
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Hans Erwich
Not so fast!
My halyard broke and both ends came down. Now what? I am not offering a solution, I am just taking the problem one step further. I had the mast taken off, so now I am facing a horizontal mast with little access at either end and a new halyard. Any suggestions?
My halyard broke and both ends came down. Now what? I am not offering a solution, I am just taking the problem one step further. I had the mast taken off, so now I am facing a horizontal mast with little access at either end and a new halyard. Any suggestions?
Not so easy!
I assume that you have LOST both ends! Get a bicycle chain and attach it to a thin piece of line (as long as the mast). Feed the chain down (or up depending on the conditions) the mast. Then just do the same thing, attach the new fish line to you NEW halyard and away you go. You will probably need to put one end of the mast on the ground and the other on the boat so the chain will feed itself to the end.
I assume that you have LOST both ends! Get a bicycle chain and attach it to a thin piece of line (as long as the mast). Feed the chain down (or up depending on the conditions) the mast. Then just do the same thing, attach the new fish line to you NEW halyard and away you go. You will probably need to put one end of the mast on the ground and the other on the boat so the chain will feed itself to the end.
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Claude L.-Auger
Tape it to another halyard
Hans, Since your mast is already horizontal, here is a method I used to install a spare halyard. Assuming your current halyards are a little bit more than twice the length of the mast, secure the end of one to the foot of the mast then go to the top of the mast and pull on it until it is fairly tight because the other end secured. Then I simply removed the masthead (mine is bolted) and pulled it out about 6 inches. I ran the new halyard though its block (sheave) and taped the end to the halyard I had pulled. Replace and rebolt mashead. Go back to the foot of the mast and pull on the secured halyard until the taped halyard shows up. Run it a few times the full length to make sure that it is working properly. If you have someone helping, do not reinstall masthead until you have had a looksee inside of the mast to make sure there are not snags. good Luck
Hans, Since your mast is already horizontal, here is a method I used to install a spare halyard. Assuming your current halyards are a little bit more than twice the length of the mast, secure the end of one to the foot of the mast then go to the top of the mast and pull on it until it is fairly tight because the other end secured. Then I simply removed the masthead (mine is bolted) and pulled it out about 6 inches. I ran the new halyard though its block (sheave) and taped the end to the halyard I had pulled. Replace and rebolt mashead. Go back to the foot of the mast and pull on the secured halyard until the taped halyard shows up. Run it a few times the full length to make sure that it is working properly. If you have someone helping, do not reinstall masthead until you have had a looksee inside of the mast to make sure there are not snags. good Luck
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Bill O'Donovan
Fishing line
Instead of duct tape or whipping line, I suggest sewing a strong fishing line in a criss-cross between the two ends, snug. Less chance of breaking and more flexible as you go over the sheeves. The sole disappointment about replacing these halyard lines is that only someone who's done it can appreciate the anxiety and relief that comes with accomplishing the task. It's a major victory.
Instead of duct tape or whipping line, I suggest sewing a strong fishing line in a criss-cross between the two ends, snug. Less chance of breaking and more flexible as you go over the sheeves. The sole disappointment about replacing these halyard lines is that only someone who's done it can appreciate the anxiety and relief that comes with accomplishing the task. It's a major victory.
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Ed Schenck
For Fred's original question. . . .
another answer. Just did the same thing but wanted to preserve the original halyard. So I bought 100' of cheap line at Lowes. Sewed that line(using needle and thread from my sail kit) to the halyard bitter end and put some tape around it. Pulled the halyard down from the shackle end which pulled the cheap line through. Sewed the new halyard on, taped, and pulled it back through. Now I have a spare halyard. Work slowly and maintain tension so that nothing binds, curls, gets off the sheave, etc.
another answer. Just did the same thing but wanted to preserve the original halyard. So I bought 100' of cheap line at Lowes. Sewed that line(using needle and thread from my sail kit) to the halyard bitter end and put some tape around it. Pulled the halyard down from the shackle end which pulled the cheap line through. Sewed the new halyard on, taped, and pulled it back through. Now I have a spare halyard. Work slowly and maintain tension so that nothing binds, curls, gets off the sheave, etc.
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