wire halyard fix

[redhead78]

Hi all, I am working on my mast and I have a wire main halyard that is coming apart in the center. I asked my yard and they said they don,t do that work. I thought it strange, oh well. I need the fitting on the sail end transfered to a new cable. Are those lead ends crimped somehow, special tool?? I suppose I could use a couple of crosby wire fasteners. Where is a good place to buy the wire once I determine the size. The other end goes into a winch on the mast held down wf 2 allan screws, simple. Red

 

[RichH]

Wire halyards are pretty much obsolete; although you can have boat equipment suppliers who have 'rigging services departments' provided them ... including the 'pressed on beads', etc.

Better to use ultra-high strength polymers such as amsteel or dyneema for halyards; but you 'should' change the mast head sheeve from a double groove to single groove. The same 'rigging services' can make up such a polymer halyard with the proper connectors and 'stops' for compatibility if your present wire halyard is held in place with 'balls and jaws'.

 

[redhead78]

I have a dedicated winch, the back end of the cabel is fastened to, with a screw torpedo brake, its made for wire, its works real well.At the winch end the open cable is held in place wf double setscrews,then like 6 wraps then up and back down to sail shackle. It looks like a pressed fitting like on standing rigging, swage?? Red

 

[RichH]

Yup, six wraps up and back down ... can easily fatigue the wire and expose you to sudden breakage ... and with the halyard going up and the sail coming down and all without warning. Wire simply doesnt like to 'be continually bent over relatively small diameters'.

If you use the boat for 'offshore', Id seriously consider to replace with a 'polymer' halyard. ;-)

 

[redhead78]

Missing me, my fault. the spool always has like 6 wraps, when the halyard is at rest, fastened to the deck. In this position just about 1 ft down from the sheave there is a spot where the cable has like a birds nest with some broken strands,maybe 1/3 of the cable.When I hoist the main, I would say half the length winds on the reel. The system works great, I think to use line it would have to be 1/4" or less it will not fit on the reel...Red

 

[mitiempo]

You have a captive wire winch. Any rigger should be able to replace the wire with new 7 x 7.

 

[redhead78]

What is 7x7 the wire? I removed the wire its coiled, I just need to have the old shackle sail hardware installed on one end...I am in.North jersey area.. the boatyard in Peekskill say they can not or don,t want to do it. Where is best place to buy cable? Red

 

[Ron20324]

If you have a West store near you, they probably have a crimping setup in the rigging aisle to make the loop.

 

[mitiempo]

7 x 7 is the wire. 1 x 19 used for standing rigging is not flexible enough for halyards.

 

[redhead78]

Ok, I figured it can't be that difficult to roll our same wire, and attach my fitting. Tell the truth I was really surprised Viking Marina in peekskill ny could not do it....Red

 

[Don12364]

You have a good system because the wire is rarely touched by the hands so early instances of stranding are not a reason for failure - but painful if handled nonetheless.

You need to ask for a rigging shop that does 'Talurit' or 'Nicopress' fittings.
They will put a thimble on the end of your wire using either a bronze or aluminium ferrule which, when crimped in the special tool, will flow into the wire so it will never move.

Sometimes it is possible to hire the tongs to do the Nicopress, though the best ones are bench mounted and have an hydraulic cylinder to apply the pressure (Talurit).

 

[Steve Dion]

Have you considered replacing the sheaves and going to an all rope halyard?

We just had a fellow "die" from a home swedged cable halyard. He fell 35' to the deck and lived about 2 1/2 weeks. He was 75 years young.

 

[mitiempo]

The common risk is the captive wire winch. The brake can slip. Many in the past broke arms when the brake slipped. They haven't been in common use for many years.

 

[redhead78]

Mast is down now, is how I noticed the fray, its at the top 1 ft from the sheave. The way I was taught to go up or hoist someone up the stick, I have 2 large halyards, we use both with a chair and climbing harness wf saftey halyard clipped around the mast, always with 2 people manning the 2 halyards. Red

 

[Steve Dion]

It is a perfect time to switch out the sheaves and install a new rope halyard. In the future you will need need to worry about this issue again.

 

[higgs]

Steve is right. You will need a new winch, but non self tailers are avialable at reasonable prices used. Check sailorman in Ft Lauderdale or ebay.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Red, Lockwood Boatworks should be very convenient for you if you motor to Raritan Bay. I think they would be willing to handle any of your rigging needs and I would have confidence with them; however, they are also at least as pricey as West Marine.

I've gone to them for most of my rigging needs. You can motor into Morgan Creek and I can't imagine that you aren't familiar with them.

 

[redhead78]

Thanks for all the input guys, Scott I think your post woke me up. I have the coil home, Lockwoods is in my cruising grounds and they are an excellent yard, and will certainly be able to do the job. As a matter of fact John Eggers sails and rigging is exactly where I should go. They repair and clean my sails for years I completely forgot they do rigging. I think because I am wintering upstate in Peekskill I don,t get down to raritan area till June. Red