Replacing H31 Main Halyard

[Bob Rutland]

It's time to replace the main halyard on our 84 H31. The line that is on the boat now is 1/2". I'm thinking about replacing it with New England Sta-Set X 7/16" line (which is rated at 7400 lb. breaking strength) to save a little money and reduce weigth aloft. Is this a good idea or does the halyard need the strength of the 1/2" line ? PS: Does anyone know the correct amount of line I need to buy? Thanks, Bob S/V Lady Di II

 

[Steve Dion]

Just did it this year too.

Bob:I just replaced my main and both jib halyards this year. I used Sta-Set X on my main too. I went with 1/2" but would think that the 7/16" would be a good alternative. If you are not familiar with X it is a little fuzzier than the regular Sta-Set. I agree with your reasoning that it would reduce a little weight, but I really see move value in the fact that you will also reduce some friction and raising the main should be a little easier too.What I did was cut off the head shackle and sent it to the rigging shop. They spliced an eye and returned the assembly to me. I then sewed the two lines together (end to end) with whipping twine and a little tape to make the joint smooth. It went up, over down and through like a dream.

 

[Rod Leonard]

New Halyard

Did mine 2 years ago Genoa also. Went to 3/8". Works great we even race the the boat. I don't think there's anyway you will ever break it.

 

[Mac Lindsay]

Bob;I replaced both the main and jib halyards on my H31 this year. The origional halyards that came with the boat, I've owned it since new, were 7/16", so I replaced the halyards with the same size. I at first, replaced the main halyard with 1/2" but it seemed a little too tight and looked like it was a little too large too run through the mast head sheave cleanly without jamming. Getting the sail up was quite easy but getting it down was slightly sticky. I decided that it would be better to stay with the 7/16" to eliminate a possible snag in getting down the sail if the wind was too strong or in reefing.Besides, 7/16" is strong enough for any forces on the sail. If the wind was such that the halyard would break I would want to be at the dock.Mac Lindsay sv Kitkatla 1984 H31