mousing lines?

[mrkeith]

hi are there any good suggestions for what types of lines to use and preferred methods for taking the halyards off my boat for rope cleaning? i would hate to break a mousing line and then have to figure out a way to run my halyards back down the mast. i ve never done this before but i imagine it could be a real pain if the line you use to pull your halyard back through the mast breaks somewhere in the descent....any suggestions?
thank you

[hellosailor]

Mousing line? Is that the same as a messenger line?

I would use something fairly strong and inexpensive, like "parachute cord" to messenger the main halyards. There's no way it will break. If your local hardware store doesn't have it reasonably, you can us whatever cheap yellow polythene braided line they have--and if you need a floating line to throw or tow on the boat, reuse it for that. (Like the line to your horseshoe bouy.)

A couple of stitches with whipping line will ensure the end of the messenger line doesn't come free from the halyard, then a bit of tape over that to make sure it runs smoothly.

Depending on your fittings and any jacket on the line, if you're taking them down for cleaning you might also want to end-for-end the halyards. That is, reverse them so any wear on them is spread to different places. You'll get more life out of them that way.

[sailingdog]

I use a small 3-4 mm line that is whipped to the end of the halyard. This allows it to pass through the blocks and sheaves relatively unimpeded. A 600' spool of the stuff was relatively cheap, and it comes in handy for a lot of other things on the boat.

End-for-ending the lines is also a good idea, but less than practical if you've got shackles spliced to it.

[j34035]

Do NOT use nylon carpenters twine. I had it jump off between masthead sheave when the halyard passed through, then had to go up the mast to get it back where it belongs.
DD

[hellosailor]

DS-
"but less than practical if you've got shackles spliced to it." What, shackles can't be respliced?? Even if you job that out, still gonna be cheaper than replacing the whole line because it wore through.

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

DS-
"but less than practical if you've got shackles spliced to it." What, shackles can't be respliced?? Even if you job that out, still gonna be cheaper than replacing the whole line because it wore through.

Splicing a line shortens it a bit, and many sailors in this day and age don't know how to splice double braid. I do, but I know a lot who don't... and having to pay for splices gets expensive too.

[T34C]

How big a boat are we talking about? If the line is old enough to be THAT dirty, I would consider just replacing it.

[Goodnewsboy]

It is good to take down your halyards every year that you leave the rig up by using a messenger line. This is especially true if you have internal halyards.

Then you can look it over carefully and clean it. (Laundry detergent and, if necessary, oxi-clean.) Inspecting and cleaning rigging is good winter fun.

Replace if it shows deterioration. If it helps, think of hoisting yourself up the mast in a bosun's chair!

[mrkeith]

Originally Posted by T34C

How big a boat are we talking about? If the line is old enough to be THAT dirty, I would consider just replacing it.

41 foot, i live in a place w/ alot of pollution so they get dirty easily, plus need to get salt water off of the ropes

[hellosailor]

Ergh...Run a firehose up the mast and leave the lines in place?