cleaning halyards

[Scott B.]

anyone have tips on cleaning old moldy halyards. I have the chance to improve the situation now with the mast unstepped. they are still in somewhat good shape. I am thinking of replacing them but they could serve as headsail halyards. I had done the pillow case in the washer with soap routine with an old topping lift of similar condition, but that washer action and maybe the aggressive soap tore the line apart. Just soaking in water doesn't seem to do the trick.

[Jim Walsh]

If you are trying to remove mold the simplest method is to soak the halyards in a five gallon pail of warm water with a couple tablespoons of bleach. Let them soak for an hour, stirring occasionally. You can then rinse them in a pail of water. If the mold persists give them another treatment.
I think your gut instinct is correct. My advice would be to replace the halyards.

[Jim Davis]

Use a five gallon bucket. Put some detergent and bleach in and fill with water. Add the lines and stir with a stick. From time to time stir some more. Let soak overnight and then rinse well. Hang them in the sun to dry. If it is only dirt and stain you will be fine. If the lines are old and worn just replace them.

Not a perfect solution but if the lines are in reasonable condition it works.

[bottomscraper]

http://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/ ... 509-1.html

[Neil Gordon]

You want the halyards to look nice or you want them to retain as much of their safe working load as possible?

Pick one.

[Scott B.]

Thank you to all for responding. I will try cleaning in mild detergent (Woollight sounds reasonable) but I think I am leaning toward replacement since this may be one of the last times I will have the mast unstepped making replacement easy. Will certainly save the halyards for future use somewhere.

[Neil Gordon]

... this may be one of the last times I will have the mast unstepped making replacement easy.

I've never had a problem. I just butt the new/old halyards and sew them securely together. (I'm pretty sure I overdo the "securely" part!)

[mgphl52]

(I'm pretty sure I overdo the "securely" part!)

That sure beats the alternative... just saying.