Replacing Halyards

Phil Herring · Jan 30, 2012

Hi Jerry,

Our lengths include an extra few feet, figuring that a little too long is better than a little too short.

Ed Schenck · Jan 30, 2012

Where's Steve D.? He can probably cut and paste his method for running messenger lines and halyards. Basically uses a bent paperclip like two fishhooks. Then some electrical tape around that. Been doing it successfully for years since I take my halyards out for the winter.

You should run the messenger lines first and then your halyards will be out and you can measure them for peace of mind. Are they already long enough to be go to the cockpit? Maybe you are planning on it and need the extra length.

captainpat · Jan 30, 2012

I have to clean and/or replace my halyards. I am really interested in this paper clip thing. Details please, Steve. Also, what kind of line do you use for messangers?

Steve Dion · Jan 30, 2012

Phil:

The link for the halyard replacement is broken.

http://www.sailboatowners.com/upload/display.tpl?folder=Dion73112378230&fno=17

(Edit from Phil) New url is here:

http://sbo.sailboatowners.com/index.php?option=com_mtree&task=viewlink&link_id=6901&Itemid=257

FourPoints · Jan 30, 2012

I remove my internal halyards every winter, I use use a spool of twine suspiciously like the one they will let you borrow at home depot to tie things down on your car...

When I replaced my halyards (http://sailingit.com/blog/boat-projects/new-halyards) I had the bitter end made into a loop out of an extra length of the sleeve at the end (you are not supposed to secure the core to the end of sleeve anyway), this makes it extra simple to secure a messenger line, I simply run the end of the twine through the loop, and tie it off with a bowline. Far stonger and more secure than the paperclip trick.

I also have a spreadsheet on the website that outlines calulations for halyard sizing baised on sail size and wind speed calulations. It should be prefilled with the specs for NE Ropes Stayset-X

Jackdaw · Jan 30, 2012

If you are getting new halyards, do what FP says and ask your rigger to put Flemmish Eyes in the bitter ends. Attached your messenger to this via a neat bowline. There is almost zero chance of this snagging or losing the messenger line.

You can do this yourself with a fid, a pusher, and an hour on yourtube. Or your rigger can add them. It is also possible to make a temporary one with some sail thread and a needle. Weigh against the cost of losing your halyard in your mast. The hook idea sounds like a fast way to do it if you know your sheaves are easy turns.

FourPoints · Jan 30, 2012

Jackdaw said:
Flemmish Eyes

Thanks, I couldn't remember the name for them when I posted that, and I don't have any pics of them either :-\

Ed Schenck · Jan 30, 2012

Flemish eyes are nice for small halyards and other lines. My halyards are 7/16' and an eye will not go through the sheaves. The paperclip technigue works fine, quick and easy. Open the paperclip so you have the two hooks facing each other. Butt the lines together and hook one end of the clip through the rope cover for each line. Cover with electrical tape and start pulling. I have pulled hard on mine and never had one come disconnected. The messenger line material only becomes important if you leave them in over the winter like I do. Choose something that is not so thin and of poor material that it will deteriorate from sun, rain, snow, etc. I buy packages of 100' x 1/4" twisted nylon at Lowes.

FourPoints · Jan 30, 2012

A flemish eye made from just the sleeve will fit through any shive the rest of the line will fit through.

Jackdaw · Jan 30, 2012

Ed Schenck said:
Flemish eyes are nice for small halyards and other lines. My halyards are 7/16' and an eye will not go through the sheaves.

Ed, As FourPoints notes, a correctly done flemmish eye splice is de-cored in the eye. It is no more bulky than the base line.

I agree the clip technique is a great idea if your halyards do not have eyes, but if you are getting new ones made there is no reason not to have eyes put in.

bcollis · Jan 30, 2012

The last time I did this i used smaller rope, sewn into the core of the halyard, with a bit of electrical tape to clean it up. Worked like a charm.

RonRelyea · Jan 31, 2012

Be Careful Sizing Your Messenger Lines

I once tried using small diameter cord as a messenger line for my lazy jack setup. The cord was so small and light that it jumped off the block and got stuck between the block and its frame. I had to go half way up the mast to get it out.

FourPoints · Jan 31, 2012

RonRelyea said:
I once tried using small diameter cord as a messenger line for my lazy jack setup. The cord was so small and light that it jumped off the block and got stuck between the block and its frame. I had to go half way up the mast to get it out.

When using small diameter messenger lines you need to keep some tension on them when pulling them through the blocks, or this will happen.

Crazy Dave Condon · Jan 31, 2012

There are amny good suggestions.

When replacing any halyard, what most yards do is to run a messenger line sometimes referred to as a tracer line as well. If leaving in the mast for the winter, make sure the line is not susceptible to rot during the winter months and when pulling, always apply pressure/ tension on that line or the small line can come off the sheave and get caught and that means someone going up the mast should the mast be erect.

Phil Herring · Jan 31, 2012

Steve Dion's article about this is now here:

http://sbo.sailboatowners.com/index.php?option=com_mtree&task=viewlink&link_id=6901&Itemid=257

Steve Dion · Jan 31, 2012

We have used this method for many years. It has worked well for us. When you wrap the clip with tape, use it sparingly. When you pull the wrap over the sheaves just pull easily.

The other methods that we used was to sew the lines together with whipping thread, but it takes a lot longer.

Dan Johnson · Feb 4, 2012

Sewing...

I've sewn the messenger or "tracer" line through the butt of the halyard and used it to pull the new halyard onto the mast.

Have also used dental floss to sew two butt ends of lines together to be pulled through blocks. Don't laugh--it's stonger than you think--peppermint makes things smell better too...

Claude L.-Auger · Feb 28, 2012

Like Steve, I have used the paper clip method for years and never have had any problems. I do not even remove the halyards from the blocks and deck organizers bringing them to the cockpit. I first neatly cut the halyard to be replaced just above the shackle, and second splice the new halyard on the shackle Then I clip and tape the no-shackle end of the new halyard on the freshly cut old halyard end. Going back to the cockpit and pull on the cockpit end of the old halyard until you get the clipped end clearly through in the cockpit. It even goes through the rope clutch ! Make sure you secure the shackle on deck or you may wind up having to retrieve it from way up if you pull too hard and too fast.

Replacing Halyards

.

Alien

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Alien

.

.

.

.