Pearson 33 Halyards

[obdoor]

I want to replace my wire/rope halyards with modern polyester halyards. What size thickness will go through my existing mast setup. My S/V is a 1987 Pearson 33 centerboard.

 

[HukilauMike]

Assuming that when you lower the sail, the rope section of your current halyard goes through the sheaves at the masthead, you would replace the wire/rope halyard with an all rope halyard with the same size as the rope part your existing wire/rope halyard. The key issue is the size of the sheaves in the masthead; if it fits the existing rope, it will fit the new rope.

 

[Dave Groshong]

If you cannot change the masthead sheave, I would stick with wire/rope:

http://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?13737

 

[CHARLIE STAGE]

On my Cal-33 I went the other way after my original rope halyard saw its better days. I measured my sheaves and was actually able to go up a 1/16th of an inch in rope size and the corresponding wire size fit great. This was great as I had stumbled onto a very inexpensive replacement Hayward. I also made sure my sheaves would work with wire. Since you won't have that problem I agree as above just make sure the rope meets or exceeds the strength of the halyard you are replacing and you will be fine.

 

[HukilauMike]

Assuming you don't have to replace the sheaves, I am at a loss to understand why someone would choose a wire/rope halyard over an all-rope halyard. Can someone (Charlie Stage?) explain their preference? I had wire/rope on my Catalina 22 many years ago (before non-stretch line was inexpensive enough for the masses) and HATED it. I always had to beware of meat hooks on the wire, and I was afraid that the wire/rope connection would fail. With the new low or no stretch lines affordability, I am a little surprised that wire/rope halyards are still sold on a stock basis.

 

[Brian S]

Isn't there a big issue with the masthead sheaves condition? If they are going to be reused for rope halyards, they should be thoroughly checked for smoothness, because if there's any roughness, it would chew up the new halyards.

Nowadays, "modern polyester" isn't modern at all. Higher performance (lower stretch) would be obtained from Dyneema, Spectra, or Vectran cored ropes. I would talk to a good rigger about the relative benefits of rope material and construction.