I am ordering main and jib halyards from the store here and wonder if anyone can give me some hints for running the new lines, Thanks ,
replacing halyards
- Thread starter mmsailor
- Start date
I've done a couple and used the paperclip/tape method. It worked well.
Sorry no pictures. It might sound complicated until you do it once then its a piece of cake.
- Bend the middle portion of a paperclip out until it resembles an S.
- Put the free ends of the haylards together
- Stick one end of the "S" into each haylard so that the paperclip is holding them end to end then wrap with electrical tape to hold it together.
- Don't use too much tape, make sure the connection is flexible enough to make the bends in your mast.
- Pull the old haylard, fishing the new one into place.
Sorry no pictures. It might sound complicated until you do it once then its a piece of cake.
Did mine this year mast up,Cut off eyesplice and butt ends together and sew them with fishing line.Put small piece tape over it and slowly pull through.Real easy.Not too much tape so not to bind at halyard sheave plate
Ashley, how many paper clips did you use and what was the halyard rope size? I just ordered a new 7/16" halyard from the HunterOwners store for my Hunter 356. I like your idea of using paperclips and electrical tape, but my mast is 50' tall and the halyard is 128' long. Will one paper clip be strong enough to hold the ropes together?
Bob R
Bob R
Here's a hint: Don't wait for them to break and fall into the mast. My jib halyard managed to get knotted inside after snapping. We had to drop the mast and pulled and poked for ages till it let go, scary... Then we had to fish tape in the new one, not fun.
-Chris
-Chris
Bob, my halyards are 5/16" and around 70'. I used 1 paperclip, I think the bigger size ~2". Not sure if it would hold your line but I suspect it would. The joint is plenty strong as long as you aren't yanking on them and trying to force it over the sheaves or through the openings in the mast. Big thing is make sure you don't use too much tape so it doesn't get hung up and that the joint is flexible enough to make all the bends it needs to make. If you are unsure you can stitch them together and then tape like DJN51 and Dave602 mentioned.
If the lines are sewn together what is the purpose of the tape ? Does it keep the fishing line from pulling out ?
The new halyard came in the mail Saturday (6 days from ordering, 2 weeks ahead of schedule). Went back to the boat afer a day of sailing with my son and 2 grandsons to replace the old halyard. Got worried about 2 paper clips getting over the head sheave, borrowed some waxed whipping line from a slip neighbor and stitched the old halyard to the new one. I did end up using some rigging tape over the ends to keep them from separating. The line went over the head sheave without even feeling any resistance. Had a little trouble getting the stitched connection out of the mast slot, but with a little help from a winch...success! The new halyard works great. Thanks everyone for your advice.
I too am leary of using paper clips although others will disagree but heard too many horrow stories. If using a tie to each end of the lines or using a messenger line, always pull with some tension on the line because if the small line comes off the sheave and get stuck, you will be dropping the mast.