New Main Sail Halyard

[Peter Milne]

I would like to replace my main sail halyard. The cuurent halyard is at least 1/2" possible 9/16",which is too large to run freely through the clutch and blocks.The Hunter manual states that the main halyard should be 7/16", which I expect would work fine. However, the catalogues (e.g., New England Rope) say that given the size of boat, the halyard should be at least 1/2".What size halyard are other boat owners of similar size using?Peter Milne

 

[Pete Burger]

Main halyard

Pete, I also have a 430, and when I had problems raising and lowering the large mainsail, I changed to a Shaefer metal sheave at the masthead and then changed the main halyard to 3/8 inch diameter, but of the stronger Sta-SetX braid instead of the normal double braid. It's three year's later, and everything still works great. The smaller diameter routes through the multiple sheaves much easier.Pete S/V KAILANI

 

[Dennis]

430 Halyard

Hi Peter,I just measured my lines last weekend for new Lewmar Superlock clutches. The halyard is 1/2". I found the Gauher OEM clutches are bad on lines. The Hun 336 I had before I had changed out to Lewmars as well as a Cat 25 which lines always looked great. Just a heads up call on the above. Maybe see ya in the islands this summer. Presently in John Wayne Marina, Sequim, WA. S/V THE FIX

 

[Don H.]

I use 1/2" main halyard on my Legend 37.5

The Hunter owners manual specs 7/16" for the main halyard, but I found that was too stretchy. I replaced the original 7/16" with 1/2" Sta-Set three years ago. It works very will with minimum stretch. I'm sure the 7/16" would work if you can live with the stretch.