messenger lines

[Mike8193]

I have stored my boat outside, Illinois winters for three years now. This winter will be the fourth season storing it outdoors with the mast up. I plan to run a messenger line through the mast and take the main halyard out clean it and inspect it and store it indoors. I will leave the jib halyard on because it is used to support the canvas cover I use. I plan to take the topping lift off too. I don't know what line to use for the messenger line or what type knot to use to attach the halyard to the messenger line (could I get it caught in the mast?). I worry about the knot coming undone too. Please let me know how you guys do this. Hopefully your explanations will be simple enough that I will feel confident doing this. Thanks in advance for your patience.

 

[higgs]

I would think any 1/4 or 3/8 tie down line would work.

When reaving a new line I use seizing wire to connect the ends.

 

[sailaway78]

Several methods

For a messanger line 1/4 should be plenty big. As far as how to attach, there are lots of ways. I use a paper clip, and it works every time for me. No snags, never lost one. I have read where some duct tape it together, Higgs seizing method is used by many.

 

[Grizz]

Flemish eye?

I learned this from a sailor w/ years of experience (old salt?) as I watched him pull a half-dozen halyards for winter storage in less than 15 minutes: he had woven a 'Flemish Eye' in the end of each halyard, basically a small loop to tie the messenger line onto. It occupies less than an inch @ the end of the halyard and is invisible during the season, unless someone asks "What's this?"

I took my halyards and topping lift to Steve @ West Marine (North Avenue, Chicago) a couple seasons ago and it's made the Messenger Run in the Fall & Spring as easy as the old salt experienced. I can pull my 5 halyards/topping lift in @ 15 minutes, all because I asked "how do you do that so easily?"

Good luck w/ yours. Take care.

 

[Doug_Meyer]

Use 3/16 to 1/4 line

I've used a good grade of 3/16 dacron for messenger lines for about 3 years. I pull all of my halyards and lazy jack lines in a few minutes. One menthod of attachment that I have used is to thread a piece of 40 pound test monofilament line through the halyard end and through the messenger line, using a large sewing needle. Then I take one wrap of rigging tape around the joint as insurance so that it doesn't catch in the sheave.

I use the 3/16 or larger line so that it doesn't jump over the side of a sheave and jam itself around the shaft.

I tried using really cheap line once, and the winter winds chafed it enough that when I attempted to reinstall the halyard, the line parted. That resulted in an unsheduled trip up the mast needless to say.

 

[Ross]

I learned this from a sailor w/ years of experience (old salt?) as I watched him pull a half-dozen halyards for winter storage in less than 15 minutes: he had woven a 'Flemish Eye' in the end of each halyard, basically a small loop to tie the messenger line onto. It occupies less than an inch @ the end of the halyard and is invisible during the season, unless someone asks "What's this?"

I took my halyards and topping lift to Steve @ West Marine (North Avenue, Chicago) a couple seasons ago and it's made the Messenger Run in the Fall & Spring as easy as the old salt experienced. I can pull my 5 halyards/topping lift in @ 15 minutes, all because I asked "how do you do that so easily?"

Good luck w/ yours. Take care.

I wondered about the Flemish Eye and so I looked it up.
This is the web site I found.

http://www.2020site.org/knots/index.html

 

[Ross]

Ashley shows a flemish eye as a figure eight knot tied in a bight. I can see how you could sew a loop onto/into the end of a halyard. I will continue checking sources for the origins of this term.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Paper clip for messenger lines.

I think it was Steve Dion, about ten years ago, who wrote here of the paperclip method. Butt the two ends together. With a paperclip bent open like two fishooks put one hook down through one weave, the other hook through the other weave. I then wrap with electricians tape from one end of the clip to the other. You want something that is flexible and will not jam nor jump off the sheaves. And it has to come out through the exit plates on the mast. As "Nice 'n Easy" suggested, just a little more detail.

 

[Mike8193]

Thanks

Lots of good advice. I will use a good quality line so it is still usable in the spring( dacron 3/16 or 1/4 ) and use either the monofilament or paper clip method (with rigging tape to support ). I think I will then put on a flemish knot during the off season. You guys are great. I hope you don't get tired of my questions. Mike

 

[cptskip]

I would think any 1/4 or 3/8 tie down line would work.

When reaving a new line I use seizing wire to connect the ends.

and use heatshrink tubing:dance:

 

[JoeD]

Heatshrink

I learn so much from you guys. That is a great idea,Thanks.