Old question, please bear with me. Changing out the main halyard

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D

Dave

The regulars have seen my post about changing out the lines and probably say, theres the new guy again. Well , I have another question for you. Main halyard line,time to change it, I thought about marrying (sewing) the two lines together so they will pass through the masthead.I have looked thru some old post, but haven't seen anything. Am I on the right track? Boat is a 85 Catalina 27. I have been trying to get this boat home and doing whatever myself. Just want to say "thanks guys" Dave
 
Jun 12, 2004
1,181
Allied Mistress 39 Ketch Kemah,Tx.
Yes

you are on the right track. What I do is sew them butted up together then wrap the sewing with the rest of the line, similar to whipping. I always use the clear packaging tape to cover the sewing. The clear packaging tape has really good adhesive qualities and is really thin compared to other tape. The tape will assure that the butted ends dont slip and try to over ride each other making a bulkier load. All should go well if taking your time. Tony B
 
Oct 17, 2005
119
Catalina 30 Edmonton
try using a paperclip

I replaced my main halyard last montyh and used a paperclip opened up. I threaded one end through the new halyard then folded it back. Did teh same for the old halyard and whipped the butt ends together. It worked out great. The larger paperclips work great and are more than strong enough. Good luck & let us know how it goes. Ken. PS Don't worry about being the guy having to ask questions. That's how we all learned the art of sailing.
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Paper clip is quick/easy/safe

Dave: We have done several of these halyard swaps with a paper clip. I used to use the sewing method but this method is quicker and probably stronger than sewing too.
 

Alan

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Jun 2, 2004
4,174
Hunter 35.5 LI, NY
I agree with the paper clip but...

...the link shown in the archives shows the eye splice of the new halyard being drawn through the sheave after removing the shackle from the old one. Butting the other (whipped) end of the new halyard to the old one would be less bulky for passing through the sheave. Not to mention that the eye splice will already have the shackle in place. I recommend always using long eye splices to facilitate changing shackles without the need to cut the line.
 
Jun 7, 2007
515
Hunter 320 Williamsburg
Use fishing line

Sew it in a criss-cross. Remains flexible to turn, yet tight butt to butt. Fail safe.
 
Dec 2, 2003
480
Catalina C-320 Washington, NC
Here is how I've done it for decades...

Never a failure and never a problem. I use Duct tape/Duck tape. Just take an 18" piece and lay it down sticky side up. Lay the two halyards along the center of the tape butted end to end in the middle. Roll the tape around the halyards neatly. Despite the naysayers the joint will support your weight, it will roll right over sheaves, through exit blocks and through clutches slick as a whistle. I can completely replace a halyard faster this way than I can get my sewing kit out and thread the needle. Take care in removing the tape. If you try to peel it down like a banana, it will constrict and have to be cut off. Just unwrap it.
 

Marcia

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Mar 26, 2007
123
Paceship Yachts PY23 Cove Marina, NAB, Norfolk VA
Dental Floss...

is what we used. Just sewed the old with the new halyard end to end and it slipped right through the sheave. We used duct tape the first time and the fit was too tight to make it through the sheave. We ended up with a mess we could not release no matter which way we pulled. We had to use the spinnaker halyard to hoist me up the mast. The dental floss is strong and worked flawlessly. Good luck on your projects.
 
May 18, 2004
259
J-boat 42 conn. river
sorry to hijack this thread momentarily!

I have been trying to post a new topic and every time i click on the "post new topic bar" it locks up my computer. any one else have this problem? s/v Que Pasa?
 
D

David

Thanks

Thanks for all the ideas,I'll let you know in a week or so. I work to much and the boats just a little to far away. So,in a week or two. I'll let you know David
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Alan...

Alan: We cut the shackle off of the old line and attach it to the working end of the halyard.
 
R

Ray Swinney

Halyard Replacement

You can join the ends together as you mentioned, but I found the following method quicker and easier: I recently replaced my headsail and mainsail halyards on my 9.2 S2 by using shrink tubing that I purchased at a local hardware store. I purchased 1/2 inch shrink tubing for 3/8 inch halyards. Butt the bitter ends of the halyard together in the tubing and shrink with a heat source (match or butane lighter). Pull hayard through sheave slowly. .....Ray
 
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