Another Halyard Replacement Question

[SailinJay]

I know what I need to do to replace internal halyards. Now I'd like to get your opinion as to how to do it. Specifically, does it make any difference which direction one pulls the halyard? Is it better to pull it up through the mast or down through the mast? Thanks.

[SailorMitch]

Assumimg there's already shackles on both the old and the new halyards, you'll find you have to pull the old one out through the front of the mast (if a jib halyard -- the main halyard exits at the back of the mast of course) with a messenger line secured to the bitter (ass) end. use duct tape to attach the messenger to the old halyard. I use a piece of tape 9-12 inches long, butt the two ends together on the sticky side of the tape and then roll in up tightly like a cigar. Tug hard to make sure it's secure.

To install the new halyard, attach the ass end to the messenger line at the front of the mast and then pull it (backwards) into place. The shackle will end up on the proper side of the mast and you're ready to go. There also are a ton of threads on this topic.

[winddancer88]

x2. Did just that to replace my main halyard last week. Went with Sta Set X.

[paulk]

Just in case... you may want to sew the two ends together (sailmaker's needle & palm w/waxed thread) AS WELL as tape them. It would be a shame to have the tape jam in the exit box and strip off just when you thought you'd gotten it through.

[sailingdog]

You can also use a lighter messenger line to do this... or you can cut out a section of the core on the old halyard, and then put the outer braid over the new line and whip and cross-stitch it to the new line.... then pull the new line through.