Replacing the mainsail wire halyard

[Bruce]

Can anyone help me with some basic info re the wire rope that hoists the mainsail on my Mk 1? It has several broken wires in the loop attached to the snapshackle and needs replacing.

What diameter wire do I need? How long should it be? Are there any tips/tricks to replacing it? Can I replace it with something different like spectra? I want to learn how to do it myself!

Any help appreciated.

Bruce

[Phillip]

Bruce,

It may be easier to cut the end loop off and reform it.

[Bruce]

Thanks Phillip.

That would be a quick solution however, I figure the wire is old and I would rather do it once and do it all, otherwise it might let me down at an awkward moment.

Bruce

[storm petrel]

Why not take the opportunity to get rid of the wire and replace it with spectra?

[Bruce]

Do you use spectra? What diameter?

[storm petrel]

I use 8mm spectra halyards led back to winches on the cabin top. Never had problem with it, except you need to tighten it a little after an hour or so, when racing. 8mm spectra has a breaking strain of 2950 kg so it may be overkill. If you decide to swap to spectra halyards you should check that the pulleys in the mast head are suitable.

[Miker]

I used 10mm spectra, mainly because that was the size of the rope tail on my old wire halyard. If your current halyard is a rope tailed steel thing, then the sheave at the mast head will be suituable.

To change it over, get the rope end and make sure all the fraying is either cut or burned off, then stitch the new halyard to it securely, then tape it up with some good cloth tape. Once that's done it's a simple matter of pulling it through, attaching a suitable shackle for the head and you're away. This took me 3 minutes, plus the 10 minutes to sew the two together and pick it apart once it was fed through.

With the excellent strength of ropes these days, wire is just not necessary.

[Tales]

See also

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=968

Cheers,

Tom

[bearmcnally]

Hi Bruce

Replacing a halyard is simple ,you tie a mouse to the existing halyard and pull it through you might have to cut the swag thimble off to get it out of the outlet box and the top of the mast . You could make the new one yourself or take it to a sailmaker /rigger and have him make it up and then you just swag the end . Especially if it is a wire to rope splice.
Be careful of changing to rope only as the pulley on the mast head will be worn and will chew the spectra rope that could be one of the reasons the wire is breaking.

If you do it yourself make sure you tie knots in the mouse cord and tape on tight to the halyard so it doesn't pull out inside the mast. Very embarrassing !

Bear

[Bruce]

Thanks everyone.

Great advice is always nearby on this website. Always like your sketches Bear

Bruce