Replacing halyards, topping lift, and footers

[Blue Pearl Captain]

Just bought a '93 Hunter 27 in great overall shape and am replacing lines. I've already replaced the main sheet, jib sheets, and vang line with ropes from Knot and Rope Supply in Ohio.
Now, I'm looking at the main and spinnaker halyards, topping lift, and footer. They run inside the mast and boom.
My Bosun's chair is on order since I'm going to have to check the anchor and underway light bulbs which aren't coming on (the only electrical issues).
I've got 18 ga wire to use for re-rigging the lines by running the wire through the length of the mast and boom, forming a loop with the wire to tie a free end of the line to, and pulling the line through.
Bottom to top for the main/spinnaker halyards in the mast and from the masthead to the end (clew?) of the boom.
Will this work? It's my own jury rigging but seems like it could work.
Can someone recommend a better idea without taking down the mast? I presume I should not remove an old line until I've threaded the new one.
If I don't expect to ever use a spinnaker, can I do without a halyard easily enough thus freeing up another cleat?
Thanks for the input.

Old sailor....first boat!

 

[gpdno]

When I replaced my halyards I used the old halyard to pull the new one in place. I took the two ends (old and new), butted them together and wrapped a strip of duct tape around them. Some folks will take a wire/paper clip and hook both end before wrapping with duct tape. Then I just pulled the old halyards out and the new ones just follows through. Very quick and simple.

 

[Nelsonhow]

If your current lines run pretty freely through the sheaves at the top of the mast you can do the work from the deck. Pull the loop from the old line down to deck level and cut off the loop. Attach the end of the new line. You can sew the ends of the old and new lines together to be sure and then wrap with strapping tape around 6 inches or more from the but joint. The joint must be smooth and not much wider than the rope so it can run up over the sheave at the top of the mast. Once you've sewed and or taped the but joint pull the end of the old line. Watch the joint as it goes up the mast. When it gets to the top you may have to work it back and forth a bit to get the new line over the sheave. You can pull but not to hard. Keep pulling the old line and feeding the new until the but joint comes out of the sheave at the bottom of the mast.

 

[Blue Pearl Captain]

When I replaced my halyards I used the old halyard to pull the new one in place. I took the two ends (old and new), butted them together and wrapped a strip of duct tape around them. Some folks will take a wire/paper clip and hook both end before wrapping with duct tape. Then I just pulled the old halyards out and the new ones just follows through. Very quick and simple.

Excellent! Much better than my plan, I think! I'll gve it a go. Much obliged!
Clear skies!

 

[Blue Pearl Captain]

If your current lines run pretty freely through the sheaves at the top of the mast you can do the work from the deck. Pull the loop from the old line down to deck level and cut off the loop. Attach the end of the new line. You can sew the ends of the old and new lines together to be sure and then wrap with strapping tape around 6 inches or more from the but joint. The joint must be smooth and not much wider than the rope so it can run up over the sheave at the top of the mast. Once you've sewed and or taped the but joint pull the end of the old line. Watch the joint as it goes up the mast. When it gets to the top you may have to work it back and forth a bit to get the new line over the sheave. You can pull but not to hard. Keep pulling the old line and feeding the new until the but joint comes out of the sheave at the bottom of the mast.

Outstanding! Thank you. Regarding the spinnaker halyard, I'm thinking of keeping it now to let the kids swing out and drop in the water. What do you think?
Good sailing!

 

[Nelsonhow]

Sounds like fun but........

Keep the orthopedic surgeon's and insurance policy numbers handy........... but much safer than skate boarding..........(just kidding)... Jumping off a boat when at anchor in a safe harbor is on of the good thrills we can give our kids.

 

[Blue Pearl Captain]

So true! We adults deserve the fun of seeing them enjoy themselves to!
May your course ber true!

 

[FourPoints]

I added my spinnaker halyard with the mast up, but the jib halyard and the spin halyard got a wrap inside the mast that I had to fix the next season after the mast was down while adding the spreader lights. (info on all these are on my blog)

 

[Blue Pearl Captain]

Thanks, Brian. Today's the big day so I shall use the utmost of care. I have more new lines from Knot and Rope Supply, LTD (OH). They've been extremely helpful and timely, even putting on the shackle I sent onto the spinnaker halyard with an eye splice.
Smooth sailing!

 

[weinie]

Rather than sewing with thread, I peeled the plastic off a few long wire twists from a box of hefty bags and used the thin wire to "sew" the two ends together. Much stronger than thread when you twist and knot up the ends up tight with pliers and takes only a minute to do.

 

[Blue Pearl Captain]

Rather than sewing with thread, I peeled the plastic off a few long wire twists from a box of hefty bags and used the thin wire to "sew" the two ends together. Much stronger than thread when you twist and knot up the ends up tight with pliers and takes only a minute to do.

Thank you, kindly. I'm very appreciative as I'm going to do this job today.
Regards, David

 

[FourPoints]

You should have a Flemish eye spliced into the end of the halyards, it makes the process of removing them for the winter simple, more reliable than a paperclip or wire too.

 

[Blue Pearl Captain]

Fortunately I did have that I done when I ordered the lines from Knot and Rope Supply. They were extremely helpful, fast turnaround, and with the best prices I found. Thanks, again. I'm obliged!
Arrrgh!

 

[Blue Pearl Captain]

The deed is done. Using wire proved to be too wide for the pulleys. I ended up cigar rolling one rope end, starting at about 8 inches down, with duct tape in a spiral and then laying the second rope ened to end, completeing the wrap to about 8 inches.
Keep a good eye on which end to duct tape ene-to-end and thread through the mast/boom so you have any shackles or eye splices where you want them to be after completion.
Thanks everyone!