Hunter 26.5 - main halyard and sheave?

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jerseywaters

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Jul 26, 2007
16
Hunter 26.5 Perth Amboy
We have to replace our main halyard. It is rope and way too big for the sheave, ergo it was wearing and then the frayed part got stuck. (purchased boat in '07) We have taken the mast down. The sheave is metal and 1.25 inches outer diam and .25 inches thick. Our boat yard expert says the metal sheave is for a wire/rope combo halyard. The space at the top of the mast for the sheave will not accomodate anything more than .25 inches thick. A rope halyard that actually fits in the sheave track would not be winchable or strong enough. Q - Are there other 26.5 owners with wire/rope halyards? Do other 26.5 masts have different fittings so they can accomodate a thicker sheave and therefore a rope halyard? We are leaning toward a 40' wire & 40' rope combo halyard.
 
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B

Brian M H23

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Oct 3, 2006
1,029
Hunter 29.5 Toms River
there is no need for a wire/rope halyard. Just put a new sheave in (probably fiberglass or aluminum)

For some racers, the tiny bit of stretch that the halyard experiences, making the sail slightly less than full hoise, is a big deal. By having wire and only a three feet of rope cleated, the halyard will only stretch, say, 5% of 3 feet, instead of 5% of 30 feet. However, with modern lines (kevlar, dynema, even parallel core polyester) the stretch is very much reduced, and this complication is un-necesary.
 
Alan

Alan

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Jun 2, 2004
4,174
Hunter 35.5 LI, NY
Yes, just go with 1/4" spectra or Amsteel. Wire/rope is old hat and way too stretchy. A good quality halyard is essential for proper sail shape.
 
Clark

Clark

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Jun 30, 2004
886
Hunter 280 Lake Guntersville, AL
Look up the specs on modern yacht braid. Samson XLS Extra 1/4" has a strength of 2300 lb, Warpspeed is 6300 lb. NER T-900 has a 4400 ln breaking strength and the Endura is 4000 lb. Use 10% as a working load and your still at 230 lb for the least strong of the group. The only problem will be the effects on your hands. 1/4" line is tough to grip.
 
T

TIM22904

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Jun 3, 2004
7
Hunter 26.5 OCONTO, WI
Before you go with the 1/4" braided line, check your rope clutch. My 26.5 has the original Rutgerson clutches and won't accept 1/4" line. I have a tapered Z-spar mast and changed the sheave a couple of years ago and if I remember correctly, I found a nylon sheave at US spars. I think I had 3/8" of space.
Then I went with a 5/16" NER Sta-set X and had plenty of clearance. I hope this helps.

Tim S.
Asylum
 
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