Replacing lines

[Adana]

Hello. I've been lurking for quite a while and want to thank all of you for the advice you give to us newbies. I finally have a question of my own that I have not seen come up and I hope someone will share their knowledge. I want to replace the lines on my 1995 Hunter 23.5. I know they haven't been done in the 4 years I've owned her but she has set unused in my driveway for the majority of that time .... yes! A travesty, I know! ;-).... but the lines looked to be a little old when I got her so I think its time. I know this project will be easier with the mast stepped. My question is about what kind of line to buy. I know that advances have been made so I was wondering if the specs in the manual are still valid concerning the diameter of the line.... can I go one size smaller to save a little money or is it not worth it? Also, single braided or double? I see that WM has what appears to be a great single braided line by Samson that comes in a variety of colors and I know I can get line here, too. Please chime in with advice so I can get it ordered and put my lovely boat in the water where she belongs this summer... luckily for me the sailing season is year-round in Pensacola so I don't have to be in a huge hurry.... I'd rather do it right once.

Adana

 

[DJN51]

Try store this site ,premade for your boat,Did mine last year really satisfied.

 

[BrianW]

Adana, look in the H-23.5 manual for line sizes and actual line "working names". I suggest you stick with the manufacture's listed sizes, because much of your boat's hardware is designed for a specific line size. Then, go to the West Marine online catelog and see their line selection guide. WM mostly uses New England Rope, so you could go directly to their website. The selection guides use the "working names" for the lines, so you'll need to start thinking in terms of these names. For instance, the lines that raise the sails are "halyards". The main lines that control the mainsail and jib are "sheets". There are several other specific line names, but you can see their names and sizes listed in the boat owners manual. I suggest you shop around online for your best prices, including THIS forum's online store. If you still want to buy from WM, they will match SOME online prices (plus shipping). Attached is a link to a previous forum thread for the Owner's Manual for your H-23.5.

Adana, I see you're in Pensacola also, send me a message if you need any help, I live in far west Pensacola, near Big Lagoon. BrianW
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=141541

 

[Adana]

Thanks for the advice. I have the manual and had seen the line sizes so I kinda wondered if the blocks and such were designed for those specific sizes but wasn't certain. I'm in scenic heights but am looming to keep my boat at Landfall marina. I'd love to pick your brain when you have some free time.

 

[BrianW]

Adana, please feel free to pick my brain..... even if it's just leftovers remaining!
I sent you my phone number by forum message if you care to talk directly. BrianW

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

The halyards are 5/16 lines that are used for the halyards and make sure you get an eye on one end for the shackle. This online store has the measurements and generally give you a few extra feet which is good. Try to get one that has very little stretch with softness as some lines are very hard even new. You can attache a small line inserted into each end of the lines and keep tension when pulling as that little line can come off the roller if there is any slack going thru the mast sheaves if the mast is up; otherwise you will have to lower the mast to get it free.

I am not sure if the sheets are 3/8 inch or not but add about 10 feet more than suggested in the manual.

dave condon

 

[Adana]

Fortunately, for this task anyway, the mast is currently down so running the lines now seemed like a good plan. I removed the Genoa from the furler last week to have the seam work redone on the UV strip and the obvious need for longer jib sheets was some of what made me decide to do this now. Also, I'm thinking about adding a spinnaker Halyard to the mast as that exit is being taken up by the harken furler and I don't have an easy way to step and unstep the mast without an accessible jib Halyard. I know I'm not ready for an actual spinnaker, but this would get the hard part done and give me a line I could use with the mast raising system. Is my thinking right here?

 

[isaksp00]

I have an H23 with a Harken furler, and am not sure why the jib halyard sheave would be taken up by the furler itself, if that is what you mean. On mine the furler is supported by the forestay, which attaches to a fitting just above the exit for the jib halyard. The halyard is used to hold up the top swivel fitting of course, but I remove my jib from the furler before I unstep, and then the halyard is available to lower the mast (with a gin pole). The prev owner left the jib on, and had to use the main halyard to lower it, which seemed awkward to me.

 

[Adana]

That's the same setup I have.... the PO had left the jib on when unstepping, also, and when I acquired the boat, novice as I am, it never occurred to me to remove the jib so we tried using the main Halyard the first time and upon unstepping the mast it went sideways a little and dropped to the deck. Fortunately, the only damage was to the mast base but I decided to never do that again. Because the boat came to me with the jib still on the furler I have always assumed this was the best way to leave it but I am now rethinking that mindset for several reasons. Thank you.

 

[BrianW]

On my H-26, my Profurl furler is mounted onto the forestay. The jib halyard hoists the jib along a track on the furler. I use my spinacker halyard to step and unstep the mast. I keep the furled jib on the furler when raising and lowering the mast. BrianW

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

For years, I suggested for furling the CDI #2 if I recall. It has it own internal halyard which allows two things. First, the jib halyard also used for the mast rasing is not used for the furler. Second, the jib can be left on the furler during transport. Third, the furler is flexible and you can run over the extrusion with your car and not hurt it. Finally, it has a life time warranty. Read the warranty of course,.