Because the rope connection is unravelling where it meets the wire, I need to replace the main halyard. I bought the exact replacement at West Marine , 40' wire and 50' Stay-set line. I checked the Archives, but don't have a good answer to these questions. When I attach the old to the new halyards to pull out, how do I attach the wire to the line so it doesn't separate ? And, do I pull out the old halyard from the mast hole or from the deck ? Thanks from a dazed and confused, Steve B
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One way that works
Steve One way that works. Sew a tag line on the rope end of the existing halyard. The hole in the masthead fitting will not pass a large knot.It is only about 5/8" in diameter. Whip or tape loose ends so that it will easily pass over the sheave (pulley)and through mast head hole. The tag line must be long enough to go from the deck to the top of the mast and back to the deck plus about five or six feet. Secure the loose end of the tag line before pulling it through or you may end up going up the mast. After the tag line is in place remove it from the existing halyard taking care not let it run back up the mast. The new halyard from west marine should have a flemish splice on the rope end. This splice is for the sole purpose to fasten the halyard to the tag line. Connect the halyard to the tag line using the flemish splice and bowline on the tagline. Make sure that the knot is small enough to pass through the masthead hole and sheave. Secure the halyard shackle and pull the new halyard into place. Just remember to keep the ends under control at all times so that you loose your halyard and have to climb the mast. Good luck. Bob
Steve One way that works. Sew a tag line on the rope end of the existing halyard. The hole in the masthead fitting will not pass a large knot.It is only about 5/8" in diameter. Whip or tape loose ends so that it will easily pass over the sheave (pulley)and through mast head hole. The tag line must be long enough to go from the deck to the top of the mast and back to the deck plus about five or six feet. Secure the loose end of the tag line before pulling it through or you may end up going up the mast. After the tag line is in place remove it from the existing halyard taking care not let it run back up the mast. The new halyard from west marine should have a flemish splice on the rope end. This splice is for the sole purpose to fasten the halyard to the tag line. Connect the halyard to the tag line using the flemish splice and bowline on the tagline. Make sure that the knot is small enough to pass through the masthead hole and sheave. Secure the halyard shackle and pull the new halyard into place. Just remember to keep the ends under control at all times so that you loose your halyard and have to climb the mast. Good luck. Bob
Or another way is to
attach the messenger line (that's what I call it anyway) to the wire end of the existing halyard after clipping the eye and shackle off. I've used strong twine, tied to the wire with a rolling hitch, then wrapped with masking tape to make a smooth pass over the sheave. This method requires sweging wire eye at the boat, but simplifies the run through the sheave if there is limited clearance. If there's plenty of room for the rope to clear(such as external halyards) use bob's method, if not (such as the case on my Catalina 27's internal halyards), use the wire first method.
attach the messenger line (that's what I call it anyway) to the wire end of the existing halyard after clipping the eye and shackle off. I've used strong twine, tied to the wire with a rolling hitch, then wrapped with masking tape to make a smooth pass over the sheave. This method requires sweging wire eye at the boat, but simplifies the run through the sheave if there is limited clearance. If there's plenty of room for the rope to clear(such as external halyards) use bob's method, if not (such as the case on my Catalina 27's internal halyards), use the wire first method.
I use duct tape
In this response, I'm following the rest of the responders. But I sense from the way you phrased the question that you may have bought separate rope and wire leads, and may also be unsure how to connect the rope section of the halyard to the wire section. Rope to wire splices is beyond my skill level. I used to pay West or someone else $20-30 or so to do it, but now I use all-rope, as explained below. I take out all my all-rope halyards from my C27 every Spring to wash them. I use about 80ft of 1/4" line as a messenger line. Line up the bitter end of the rope end of the halyard (although it would work on the wire end too) with the end of the 1/4" line, end to end. Tape them together with about 12" of duct tape, rolling the lines into the adhesive side of the duct tape as though the duct tape was a "rolling paper" and the halyard and messenger were the "good stuff". (You know, like you did in college with that banned substance we all used to smoke back then). It likely will pass easily thru the masthead sheave, and is very easily separated when you're done. Leave the 1/4" line in place running thru the sheave until you're ready to re-run the halyard, then reverse the process. Just don't tug too hard as the splice passes thru the sheave, so you don't break the duct tape.
In this response, I'm following the rest of the responders. But I sense from the way you phrased the question that you may have bought separate rope and wire leads, and may also be unsure how to connect the rope section of the halyard to the wire section. Rope to wire splices is beyond my skill level. I used to pay West or someone else $20-30 or so to do it, but now I use all-rope, as explained below. I take out all my all-rope halyards from my C27 every Spring to wash them. I use about 80ft of 1/4" line as a messenger line. Line up the bitter end of the rope end of the halyard (although it would work on the wire end too) with the end of the 1/4" line, end to end. Tape them together with about 12" of duct tape, rolling the lines into the adhesive side of the duct tape as though the duct tape was a "rolling paper" and the halyard and messenger were the "good stuff". (You know, like you did in college with that banned substance we all used to smoke back then). It likely will pass easily thru the masthead sheave, and is very easily separated when you're done. Leave the 1/4" line in place running thru the sheave until you're ready to re-run the halyard, then reverse the process. Just don't tug too hard as the splice passes thru the sheave, so you don't break the duct tape.
Just replace mine on my C270
by using whipping thread to sew the bitter end of the old to the bitter end of the new (all rope halyards). Quite simple, quick and secure.
by using whipping thread to sew the bitter end of the old to the bitter end of the new (all rope halyards). Quite simple, quick and secure.
Thank You All
With your help, I was able to replace the main halyard successfully. Thanks and Good Winds to you, Steve B
With your help, I was able to replace the main halyard successfully. Thanks and Good Winds to you, Steve B
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