Masthead Sheaves for All Lines Halyards

[philwsailz]

Hello all,

I am converting my C-27 halyards to all line. In the process, I need to replace the halyard sheaves in the masthead. I am looking at the ball bearing sheaves, and the plastic delrin sheaves. Needing four, I am looing at a difference of $100.00 and wonder if the ball bearing sheaves make $100.00 worth of difference.

If you have experice with one or the other, having converted from wire/rope halyards to all line halyards post up!

 

[philwsailz]

Okay, I have been pondering this question a lot. I have come up with a possible compromise.

I would really love all ball bearing sheaves for both he main and the head sails; it is the right way to do things. But, I have a roller furling system on the forestayl so what benefit is there in having ball bearings on sheaves that will rarely be used? Other than puting the sail away in storage, or switching out, ( I have a 150 and a 110; we will see which one gets used and left on the furler) the jib halyard will only be tensioned, and rarely droppped.

My solution/compromise is to use two of the delrin sheaves for the head sail. Then I will install the roller bearing sheaves for the main.

I really would appreciate some feedback though. thoughts guys? Am I being cheap, or does this make sense?

 

[sdfox]

Sheaves

Hi Phil,
Last summer I replaced my sheaves with the delrin sleeved sheaves. The po had converted to line but never changed out the sheaves. I chose the sleeved ones because I figured if the sleeve wore out I could simply overbore them and but a larger sleeve in place. They worked great all last summer/fall. I never had to use a winch to haul up either the main or
headsail to the top. Just a wrap and a good jerk was more than enough to
give good tension in the luff.
The ball bearings are overkill IMHO.
scotty