Halyard alternatives

[shadypark]

Greetings all:
It is definitely time to replace the main halyard on my Hunter 25. Currently in use is a line that ends in a cable. Is that cable in place due to a tolerance requirement or due to a space restraint in the mast? Can i replace this with a halyard that is all line and what is any would my options be?
thanks as always!

Ken

[Faster]

The halyard is rope/wire because traditionally wire had less stretch than rope, and when hoisted the bulk of the halyard under load was the wire.

Today's "rope" is much better, stronger, stretches less and is and simpler to deal with; you avoid wlre's "meathooks", on and on it goes.

Your limiting factor might be the sheaves in the masthead, which may have a v-shaped groove and be sized for wire only. Running line over them may not be optimal. Others have a two level groove, wider for the rope and a narrower deeper one for the wire. Neither of these types are really meant for line-only for a long period of time.

Today's line halyards are strong enough that they can be much smaller line size than what you probably have now, but then handling them is harder on the hands. A larger cover can be sewn on to assist that part of things.

Talk to a chandler about their selection of line.. they'll have some suggestions.

[sailingdog]

Also, if you're going to replace a wire-to-rope halyard with all-rope, make sure you check the exit slots for any damage, and fix it if there is any, or you'll be replacing the line rather frequently due to chafe.

[bwindrope]

Hi Ken,
I did this exact project on Aeolus (Gulf 32) last year and have photos and info on my blog at Stories of Aeolus- Our Gulf 32 Pilothouse Like others have said, check your sheaves. I found my sheaves were old and badly grooved from the wire anyway and I took this as an opportunity to replace them. Highly recommend Zephyrwerks in Port Townsend, Washington. Does beautiful work for affordable prices. Learning to eye splice double braid, which is easy, really makes this project satisfying.

I went with Samson XLS, as my research and the folks at Fisheries Supply here in Washington recommended it. I'm happy with it.

It's a fun project and a good excuse to check all your pins and stuff up the mast. Sure was nice to have mast steps in my case, as it made my trips up and down fast and easy.

You'll have fun. Good luck.