Facts beat “seems stronger”.
From Hunter Specifications for a 260.
Main Halyard
- Material: 1/8" (3.2 mm) stainless steel wire
- Breaking Strength: Approximately 1,780 pounds
If you are using lines that are offered here on SBO (not nylon lines bought at a box store), then you are getting Samson XLS3 Yacht braid polyester line with a Average Breaking Load 4100 lb.
If your boat is using OEM lines then they are still likely Yacht Braid polyester but the XLS lines then it would still have a bbreaking strength greater than the steel wire.
FROM: Samson Specifications. 5/16" Samson XLS yacht braid rope has a breaking strength of 3089 lbs.
As
@Joe has shared, your halyards are more than capable of supporting your mast as you hoist it. Additionally you will find them a whole lot easier to handle than 1/8” diameter stainless steel wire. You can run them through a block and make you process even easier.
Even 1/4 inch diameter Samson XLS3 has a working load of 480 lbs (easily can lift your mast) and a breaking strength of plus 2000 lbs.