Mast Height/Main Halyard

[Bob C]

I am planning to replace the main halyard on a Cal 24 this spring and want to insure I get the right length. What is the best way to measure for accuracy other than taking the original line down? (I plan to splice the new line and remove the old in the process).

 

[Jim LeBlanc]

Best to measure

Unless you have a line plan for your boat with the recommended sizes and lengths, it is best to actually measure the halyard in place now. Send a tape measure up to the mast top with the halyard to measure the mast height. Bring the halyard all the way down to the deck and measure the excess beyond the mast height. Double the mast height and add the excess length to get the new halyard length. Measure the diameter and you are ready to buy the new halyard. Be sure to use dacron line, not nylon for the new halyard.