Tie off the bitter end of the main halyard

[davidpm]

I've been sailing a Catalina 30 and notice that the main halyard is not tied off anywhere when it is taken off the cleat to drop the mainsail.

Theoretically it could just keep going and run up the mast as the main comes down. It never does and doesn't seem to have a tendency to get lost but I'm wondering if most folks tie it off somewhere just to be sure.

[nolatom]

Why would anyone leave the bitter end of any halyard unsecured, ever?

Either cleat it back on to whatever cleat held the main up, or tie the end to a padeye permanently, or just never let it out of your hand.

Am I missing something here? One of the basic sailing lessons is to never let a halyard free, unless you enjoy trips up the mast.

[Stillraining]

Thats why I like clutches on the mast even if you have every thing ran back...if your at the mast working one flip of a lever and your halyards are secure.

[US27inKS]

My halyards run inside the mast, and it's pretty easy to tie a stopper knot in the end that won't run through the slot in the mast. If it weren't internal, I would attach it permanently to the base of the mast.

[sailingdog]

At the minimum, tie a stopper knot in the end. Re-reeving a mainsail halyard is a pain in the butt at best.

[Rockter]

Yes, run the end of it under the halyard cleat and tie a big stopper knot in the end of it. You won't lose it then.

[knothead]

Originally Posted by davidpm

I've been sailing a Catalina 30 and notice that the main halyard is not tied off anywhere when it is taken off the cleat to drop the mainsail.

Theoretically it could just keep going and run up the mast as the main comes down. It never does and doesn't seem to have a tendency to get lost but I'm wondering if most folks tie it off somewhere just to be sure.

Dave, Ignore everything everyone else has told you.
You should always leave the end of the halyard free. And if it's internal, don't make the mistake of tying a stopper knot.

How in the heck are people like me suppose to make a living for crying out loud.

[knuterikt]

Hi
A Figure Eight Knot on the bitter end will work fine in most cases. Except with an external halyard with no blocks / cluthes at deck or mast.

[sailingdog]

Hey Cam-

Does this count as spamming the forum...he's soliciting work sorta...

Originally Posted by knothead

Dave, Ignore everything everyone else has told you.
You should always leave the end of the halyard free. And if it's internal, don't make the mistake of tying a stopper knot.

How in the heck are people like me suppose to make a living for crying out loud.

[knothead]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Hey Cam-

Does this count as spamming the forum...he's soliciting work sorta...

Tattle Tale.