Main Halyard Replacement

[FlimFlamII]

I currently have a wire to rope setup for the main halyard. The rope is 7/16. The mast head sheave will not handle 7/16. I have been told that I could go with a smaller sized rope and the smaller sized ropes are stronger than the 5/32 wire.

Thoughts

 

[Brian S]

You will probably need to replace the masthead sheave to one that fits rope. The profile of a wire sheave is different, and may be too rough for rope.

Today's Dyneema, Spectra, and Vectran cored ropes are quite strong, and less stretchy than wire, with a polyester cover to equal UV resistance.

You could look up the breaking strength of your diameter and wire construction, and then check the breaking strength of high tech lines, and I'm sure you'd find that something thinner than 7/16" would work.

I looked very briefly, and 5/32" 1x19 SS wire is between 3000# and 3300# breaking strength. Then, I looked up Yale Crystalyne's (Vectran core) "tensile strength." 3/16" is 3000#. 7/16" is 15,200# Even stretchy New England Sta-set polyester double braid 5/16" has 3,500#

You might want to touch base with a rigger...

 

[kloudie1]

I have been using a 3/8" Stay Set X main halyard .. If the sheave will pass that, go there (or equivalent).. Anything much smaller will be really hard on your hands.

 

[Joe]

You can have a tapered halyard built, or build it your self. I have written on this a few times over the years.... most recently about a week ago. I am not a fan of N.E. Sta Set X..

Essentially, you will replace the wire with 12 strand single braid dyneema or vectran..... a high tech rope that is much stronger than wire. This is the CORE... then you cover the part you handle and cleat with a less expensive polyester jacket.

You can also purchase line with this type of core.... such as Samson Warpspeed... and STRIP the cover from the area that will be going through the sheave.

It is more cost effective to add a cover to the hi tech core than the strip away method.
A consult with these guys https://www.apsltd.com/c-1539-splicingservices-halyardssheetsguys.aspx will enlighten you.

If you diy... you can find splicing instructions at the rope manufacturers sites... I used Samson Ropes splicing instructions for "taper splice" and "single braid eyesplice" (luggage tag size)