Splice on halyard or not?

[Victoria28]

I have a 1992 Catalina 28 with single spreader mast that is 35'3" from mast step to masthead. The mast is off the boat right now and I have replaced all four sheaves, installed exit slot reinforcing plates, cleaned and painted some minor corrosion(particularly where the aluminum mast sits on the stainless mast step), and I have purchased all new halyards and topping lift.
My question to all is if I should have splices on the halyards or not?
The new sheaves are from Catalina Direct and the halyards are correctly sized at 5/16" (topping lift is 1/4").
I do wonder if there is enough room from the sheaves to the sail headboard to
allow a decent splice and shackle - or is this the reason that the PO (who had
installed 9/16" halyards that completely destroyed the sheaves)had used a
whipped back bowline.
I do have some of the splicing nuts and am also looking for feedback on the use of them.
BTW - I am only cruising this boat.
Thanks,
Bill

 

[Alchemist]

The choice is yours. There should be about 6" between the top of your main and the sheave at the top of the mast, so you have enough room for either a splice or a bowline. Since I couldn't learn to splice, I tied the main shackle to the halyard using a bowline for the six years that I owned the Alchemist #4764 (an '87 C-30T).

The whole reason that the PO destroyed the sheaves was the use of the oversized halyard, and not the fact that he tied the main to the halyard with a bowline.

Note, I did not say that I used a whipped bowline, just a common, ordinary bowline.

Steve
Alchemist C-30T #4764
Alchemist C-320 #909
Alchemist C-380T #71

 

[ryancericson]

As Alchemist said the choice is yours. However, at a knot your line's breaking strength is reduced by approximately 25% - 50% depending on the knot. For example the bowline would reduce the strength of the line by ~35%. This does not occur at a splice. A rigging shop should be able to put in a splice for you at a reasonable price (~$25). It is fun and rewarding to buy some fids and do the job yourself.