Running an additional halyard

[bshock]

Hi All,

As a new-ish owner I'm running into a lot of "firsts" with this boat. This next first has to do with running a new halyard. Currenlty my boat has both a main and jib halyard, but with furler in use during the season the only halyard I have available in case I have to go to the top of the mast is the main halyard, and I'd like a second halyard available as a safetly line just in case. On the starboard side of my mast I have places for two additional halyards, one of which is labeled "spinnaker". Since the mast came down for winter storage I'm planning on running a line through the spinnaker halyard channel. Having never done this before, it seems to me like a fish tape would do the trick. Am I correct?

My plan is to run a temporary line now, then in the spring run the actual halyard line through there with the use of the temporary line.

 

[Caboteur]

Good plan... You could eventually run a spinnaker up there too!
Enjoy the winter!
Pierre

 

[Tejas]

Since potentially there are two additional halyards, at the same time you run the new safety halyard, you might also want to run a light messenger line that later could be used to put another halyard.

 

[bshock]

Good idea. Thanks so much for your comments, guys.

 

[DougM]

A fish tape will do the job, just be sure its long enough. Be careful not to get wrapped around the halyards that are already inside the mast. Pull those up as taut as possible. Run the tape upward through the exit slot to the masthead, attach your messenger line and pull it back. Then in the spring the halyard can be attached to the messenger line and pulled through in the opposite direction. The same method can be used to reverse the existing halyards from time to time to even out the wear.

If you are going to potentially use the spinnaker halyard for a true spinnaker, it would be timely to thread through stopping lift as well.

In some cases the topping lift may be strong enough to use as a safety line as well.