Replacing Jib Halyard

[Kris Cox]

Since I have to replace my forestay (see my previous post), I also want to replace my jib halyard. I have never done this before either. What is the best way to do this? I am especially curious about how to thread it through the mast. Thanks for your input!Kris"Clarity"

 

[D. Henigan]

Replacing any haylards

You need to SECURELY attach (duct tape, dental floss with needle, etc) a long trailer line of slightly less diameter to the haylard. Pull the haylard out, dragging the trailer behind. Attach securely new haylard to trailer line with a minimal increased diameter to line and carefully pull trailer back through system with haylard following behind. Pull gently, only one chance.

 

[Larry Reynolds]

Double on the sewing

I just wanted to followup on the last response. It's improtant to do the sewing of the two end together going both was. I just did this and if it wasn't for the thread holding the new halyard to my feed line they would have pulled apart when they went through the mast at the top. Good luck, say a prayer, have a stiff drink, (of soda) and go for it.

 

[Bill Coughlin]

Replacing a halyard

I replaced my main halyard this past week( should have been done this time last year). Peel back the outer shell of your sheet line about one foot. Then decord the the inside stranded line by cutting it where you rolled the outside shell. Place the end of the new halyard to where you decorded the line and roll the outside shell back over the new line. I did not have a sewing kit with me at the time so I used a couple of twist ties to clamp the two lines. When pulling the line back through try to remember the angle the halyard will pass through the mast head most easily.Happy sailingBill

 

[Steve Dion]

Just did it too.

Kris:Just did this on our '85 H'31. I ordered new halyard with shackles already spliced into the line. I cut off the old shackles from the end of the lines. Then I took the bitter end of the line and sewed them together (end to end) with waxed whipping thread. Used several passes in multiple directions to secure. I then took rigging tape and wrapped the two ends just to eliminate any snagging and make the joint smooth. Have someone slowy pull the old halyard as you feed the new one. When the incision goes over the sheave there will be a slight bump (if you make the joint nice and smooth) and just keep pulling until it appears out the other end.Just make sure that your sewing job is tight and smooth and it will work just fine. I did two jib halyards and the main with this method.Good luck

 

[Joe Matos]

alternative solutions

Try what these guys are saying, but, in case u lose your lead (just like I did last year), and want an alternative, u can always rivet an eye pad as close to the fore stay as u can and have a couple of blocks attached to it. I did it and it works fine, got a jib and a spinnaker block attached to it.When I lost the lead for my jib halyard, someone at the marina said something about buying a white mouse (no, not one for the computer, a rodent) "they'll get u a good leadline though" jejejeje, another alternative.....