Threading a jib halyard though the H26 mast

[Chiriqui]

I made the mistake of purchasing some line from a hardware store that "looked like" and "seemed like" it would do the job. Well it's frayed already and I installed it only 3 or 4 months ago. I think the sun here in Rep. Of Panama torched it.

I elected the last time to learn how to install a shackle myself. This time though I thought I would buy the line in the states which gives me the option to come with a shackle installed.

To install the line though I'd have to run it through the jib port near the top of the mast and down and out the bottom port in the mast. This is the opposite direction from when I last did this, but then I didn't have a shackle pre-installed.

Will this work?

 

[srhummer]

Had a spinnaker halyard run on my 34' this fall and it had the shackle pre attached. Used a small line with lots ~30 small washers on the end, hand feed the washers into the sheave on top of the mast and the weight carried it down the mast. Removed the sheaves at the bottom for better access and pulled the washers and small stuff out. Had the halyard taped onto the free end of the small line and just pulled it through the mast from top to bottom with the shackle fastened to the bow railing. Worked like a charm - since I was not the one at the top of the mast. Best of luck!!

 

[Chiriqui]

Oh so you're saying I have to "climb the mast"? I thought I'd cut off the shackle on the old line.. sew or tape the new line to the old line where I just cut of the shackle and pull it all though, but my concern will it catch at the top as I pull it out at the bottom. It seems to me there shouldn't be and difference which way it feeds into the mast but I'm checking here online just to make sure.

thanks for your info

 

[isaksp00]

Is the current halyard still in? If so, just use it to pull the new one through. Firmly attach the free end of the new halyard (the one that'll come out the bottom of the mast) to the end of the old halyard that is coming down from the masthead sheave, cutting the old shackle off if still on. I have read that sewing the two line ends together, butted against each other end-to-end, with a strong thread or maybe whipping twine is the best way to avoid a knot that won't go through the sheave and lower exit hole. Then just pull the old one out the mast.

 

[Chiriqui]

Yes the current halyard is still in. Ok that's was what I hoped to hear! Maybe I am being over cautious but on my own here I don't like getting myself in a fix if I can avoid it. I like getting the go ahead from someone else that has done this. Thanks

 

[C Jones]

I was told to sew my new main halyard end to the end of my old main halyard securely
Then one thin wrap of electrical tape about 6" long and gently pull it through
I just used my sail repair sewing kit for this
My smallest needle and thread
I did and it worked perfect
I pulled the old halyard down and the new one followed it

 

[Alan]

Do yourself a huge favor and have a large eye splice put in the halyard. This way you can install and remove the shackle any time you wish without cutting the line. There is just no need for a permanent eye splice. The only way to remove anything from the permanent splice is a knife. You can purchase the halyard in the States and have it shipped without the shackle, adding the shackle at the boat and your done. Join the tail of the new halyard to the front end of the junk halyard with a paper clip and some thread and pull the tail of the old halyard through, voila!

 

[Chiriqui]

If I ask for a line with a eye spliced in then you are saying I get a shackle with two ends that open. Is that your suggestion?

 

[isaksp00]

You could attach the snap shackle to the soft eye with a small "normal" D-shaped shackle, that has a (preferably captive) threaded pin, or a clevis pin with a cotter pin or split ring.
Peter

 

[Chiriqui]

Ok thanks guys I think now I have a clear picture of my options..

 

[Steve Dion]

We normally use a large metal paper clip opened up to form a "S". Thread it into the shackle end of the old halyard and the bitter end of the new halyard. Wrap it with rigging/electrical tape and pull it through. You only need enough tape to make the transition through the sheaves smooth.

This is a very quick/easy/safe way to rethread any halyard. Normally we do not even feel the transition through the sheaves. If it starts binding be sure to back it up and retry. This goes regardless of the method that you may use.

I suggest that you purchase your halyard from this website. They sell high quality line at very competetive prices.

 

[Alan]

Long eye splice

The reason for the long eye splice (or luggage tag splice) is to allow installing or removing any shackle or fitting without the need to cut the line. I'm a big fan of these and use them on all my halyards.

The center splice shows the naked line with the splice. The bottom one shows the same splice after the shackle is installed.

 

[srhummer]

Sorry I did not understand that the old halyard was still in - but sounds like everybody else jumped in and you have the plan. I have used the paperclip S and tape with success a couple of times!!