Rigging New Halyards

[GorillaToast]

ive never replaced halyards with the mast up. I know I need to sew the new one onto the old one and pull it thru.

But, my question is this:

Should I attach the bitter end of the new one to the eyesplice of the old one, or just the reverse? And, will the eyesplices make it thru the masthead sheave?

Thanks,
Bill

 

[Ken Cross]

The bitter ends go together so they will go through the sheave as well as any other obstructions.
If the new one is spliced already cut off the eyesplice from the old halyard and attach the bitter end of the new to that. Now the new eyesplice will be in the right place.
Ken

 

[Captn Scotty]

If you don't want to cut it you can use a length of small cheap poly to follow the old one out, and then pull the tail of the new one up and through.

 

[Ken Cross]

Captn Scotty had a great suggestion if you wish to save the old one. I always figured I'd not re-use the halyard as a halyard so I've cut the end off. depending on condition they could possibly be made into a jib sheet once the worn areas are trimmed away? When you are done they make nice general purpose ropes to tie down stuff in your pickup truck or working in the yard. I just can't bear to throw them away.

Ken

 

[Joe]

If you don't want to cut the old one, and not risk a jam up top......... use a messenger line of cord or thin stuff, 1/8" for instance, you can buy cheap at Home Depot... tie loop in the end then sew or paper clip it to the free end of your halyard. Pull the halyard forward through the mast and blocks from the eye splice (shackle end)... When it's through, attach the new halyard to the loop on the messenger the same way... and use the messenger to pull it backwards through the system... No cut, No jam..

 

[marke14]

Joe, I don't follow what you're suggesting ...

... tie loop in the end then sew or paper clip it to the free end of your halyard.

"the free end of your halyard" - old or new halyard? shackle end or bitter end? I am stumped trying to visualize this suggestion!

 

[GorillaToast]

Thanks guys.
All good suggestions. Don't know which one I'll use yet. Trying to think if Ive got a good reason to save the eye splice.

 

[woodster]

Joe, I don't follow what you're suggesting ...


"the free end of your halyard" - old or new halyard? shackle end or bitter end? I am stumped trying to visualize this suggestion!

read the whole thing and it will make sense...read it slowly ...and the light bulb coming on should blind you

 

[GorillaToast]

read the whole thing and it will make sense...read it slowly ...and the light bulb coming on should blind you

I read it twice, and slowly like woodster suggests.

I had to picture each step and understand it thoroughly before reading the next step.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Thanks guys.
All good suggestions. Don't know which one I'll use yet. Trying to think if Ive got a good reason to save the eye splice.

Personally, I don't use eye splices any more, and haven't for years, So I'd say no. And I'm sure I'm in the minority. But when the halard begins to wear a b it at the sheave, I lose a lot less line (and time) just tying a new knot

 

[Joe]

Joe, I don't follow what you're suggesting ...


"the free end of your halyard" - old or new halyard? shackle end or bitter end? I am stumped trying to visualize this suggestion!

I should have said "tail" rather than "free"... to me, bitter end is not as accurate. Here's a simpler explanation along with a google search link on how to remove and replace halyards.... doesn't make any difference whether you say old or new... You use the existing halyard to run the messenger... the messenger to reinstall the new.. or old... halyard.

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=halyard+messenger+line

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwir5YSw9unMAhVF04MKHWI2DvkQuAIIKjAA&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd8XUME3Dv8&usg=AFQjCNGgjOmnTIhTmQejTZNtjO13whyvfg&bvm=bv.122676328,bs.2,d.dmo