Halyard length

[seandwyer]

Hi Folks,
Today (and for the past week) I find myself wondering about what the correct length is for the halyards - line, VS. cable. Both of my halyards will not fully raise the sails unless pulled through the cheek blocks (base of mast above cuddy) so that cable is riding on the sheeve. This just doesn't seem to make any sense to me since the braided loop at the end of the line which fastens the line part of the halyard to the cable is very difficult to pass through the block - and the cable riding in the sheeve seems like it could really put too much wear and strain on the plastic. So - shouldn't the cheek block only come in contact with the line portion of the halyard - or is this seemingly non-intuitive set up the way hings should be?

I'm also wondering about the woven loop on the halyard. When last I went out, I was hoisting the main when the woven loop came undone, separating from the cable. I tied a bolen through the cable loop, but due to the fact that the knot would not fit through the cheek block I was unable to sail with the main fully raised. I need to fix this before going out again and am wondering if the consensus is that you car re-braid the loop together, or if once it comes undone a new one needs to be considered.

Thanks!

[kokko]

Here's a link:

http://forum.daysailer.org/tech_rigmeas.php

If you still have the three strand to wire halyards, it's time to get rid of them. THey have to be close to 40 years old.

[seandwyer]

Hi Kokko,

yes - my halyards most probably are 41 years old this year. Very little had ever been changed or replaced before I bought the boat. But since the cable seems OK - no fraying etc, perhaps I should just replace the line part with whatever the modern approved of rope is - and keep the cable - or is the thought here to replace everything at once?

Thanks!

[kokko]

THe rope-to-wire halyards were popular before low stretch rope was available. From wht o described, the riope-to-wire splice parted before you bought the boat, and an eye was then spliced - that's why you can't get the sail all the way up. The wire doesn't stretch, but it is tough on the sheeves.

If you buy really good low stretch, it may cost you $1/foot, so you are out maybe $50 for both halyards. Your new halyards would run easier, be easier on the hands and unlikely to fail.

[seandwyer]

Well - I decided to go the easy (slightly more expensive) route and just purchased a new main halyard from D&R. I know it will be the correct length, the correct diameter and the proper type of line - and comes with a new shackle. I plan to use the old halyard as a docking line - maybe people will get off my back about using clothes line now!

I also purchased a couple of new sheaves for the top of the mast since the old ones are sort of chalky. Seems like someone had recently mentioned using stainless screws instead of rivets as the axle rod. What I'd like is to find a couple of properly sized stainless screws that are only partially threaded so the sheaves aren't riding on threads. If anyone has a source for stainless stuff I'd love to hear about it since The Home Depot - well, they suck, sorry. I so miss the days of hardware stores that had drawers full of every know screw, nut, bolt and fastener - all to be had by the piece or pound.

I probably won't replaced the jib halyard until it needs to be done or I am in need of more dock line! It doesn't seem to endure nearly the amount of stress as the main and as long as it is working - I figure "why mess with it". But - when I do, I'll make one myself once I see and feel the correct type of line etc.

So - new halyard, new sheeves, oh, and a new center board gasket - I probably won't put that in until the season is over. I get a few drips when putting the board down and when pulling it back up but as long as the handle isn't being pushed against, nothing comes in. Even when we were in Lake Erie a few weeks ago and the board was really getting slammed by 4 and 5 foot waves (Scary!!) it didn't leak - only when I am pushing or pulling up in the handle.

Thanks for the help and suggestions - but keep any tips coming - especially about a supplier of stainless parts.

[GreenLake]

I so miss the days of hardware stores that had drawers full of every know screw, nut, bolt and fastener - all to be had by the piece or pound

Well, we still have well-stocked hardware stores out here, but I also find SS fasteners at the local marine supply store I frequent. They have an online presence, so you might check whether anyone is offering mailorder on these items.

Finally, in addition to mom&pop hardware stores or home depot, there are stores (chains) that specialize in fasterners. You may need to check the biggest city near you to find one, but I'm sure that you'll find one wherever there's a bit of an industrial (or light industrial) area left.

Getting SS screws that are only partially threaded may be tricky, because that makes them more specialized (and harder to stock). If all else fails, you could fill the threads with a suitable epoxy. JBWeld for example.

[seandwyer]

hey - JB Weld - I like that idea!

Greenlake - if you can think of the name of the store with the online presence that would be great!

[K.C. Walker]

When I have replaced sheaves on my masthead in the past I've used a Clevis pin with a Cotter pin. It works great. http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/us ... &page=GRID

KC

[GreenLake]

f you can think of the name of the store

http://www.fisheriessupply.com/

But realize that SS fasterners, including clevis pins are not items that only marine oriented stores carry. Unfortunately, the particular chain of fasterner stores that I mentioned is not present in your area, and doesn't sell online, but similar outlets must exist in your state.

I've used Clevis pin with a Cotter pin

Clevis pins. Now that's a smooth idea!

[jpclowes]

Sean,
There is a store in Blue Ash, called "Strictly Sail" that will probably have what you need. I used to go there occasionally years ago, before I was online, and before they build the West Marine here in Columbus. When I was there last they were very helpful.

Hope you come up and visit us again soon.

J.P.

[dannyb9]

[quote="kokko"

If you buy really good low stretch, it may cost you $1/foot, so you are out maybe $50 for both halyards. Your new halyards would run easier, be easier on the hands and unlikely to fail.[/quote]

the halyard has to go up the mast and back down, which means about 50' for the main and roughly 36' for the jib...

if your wire has no broken strands you 'could' shorten the wire part and add thimbles above the turning blocks so that the rope halyard is on the sheave instead of the wire. i happen to have a crimping tool so i can make my own wire rigging, its not hard to do.

having said that, i will be replacing my halyards with rope (line) because my wire main halyard does have a broken strand.

dan in port royal

[seandwyer]

A sustained thanks to everyone chiming in. I just received the halyard from D&R yesterday afternoon and will be putting it on tomorrow. Now that I figure the length to be more like 50 feet, and the fact that the halyard came with a shackle, $47.00 seems like a decent deal - if the rope is a buck per foot.

JP - I've been to strictly sail a few times and they do have a good supply of fittings etc. Thanks for the suggestion - but boy do I wish we had a West Marine down here. You would think with all the river traffic that they could not only operate but profit pretty well. - By the way, I'd like to come up again - perhaps before the weather turns. Let me know if you have any events coming up that would be particularly appropriate for DS's. Since the halyard broke I've not been out - 3 weeks now, and I'm going nuts. The weekend is looking pretty rainy too - so it might be 4!!

[seandwyer]

As a follow up to my sheave replacement project, I did wind up using stainless clevis pins and stainless ring clips as retainers. OMG! why that wasn't the original set up is beyond me! It works brilliantly and when I need to replace a sheave again it will be done in a jiffy - no drilling etc. Rivets are for the birds! So, I now have new all rope halyards, brand new sheaves for the main and I'm just so happy! One halyard is white and red, the other is white and blue - no more trying to figure out which is which when I'm rigging and everything is floating around in the breeze!

Thanks again for the ideas!