Cape Dory 28 main sheet halyard.

[Sailingscotland]

Lazy beaver at present has a main sheet halyard of wire, from the sail, spliced to rope . When the sail is fully up, the wire is down as far as the mast winch. This makes things difficult as the wire does not bend readily round the winch and slips. Is there any reason it has to be wire? Could the halyard be replaced entirely in rope?

Any thoughts?

Regards

[csoule13]

Absolutely OK to replace with regular line. Did it on my dad's Ericson. I recently replaced my old crusty rope halyard with new line from Cajun ropes, would recommend. Great feel in the hand, and excellent coiling. I did 3/8th inch, wouldn't go smaller.

[tjr818]

csoule13,
Which line did you go with from Cajun?

[csoule13]

csoule13,
Which line did you go with from Cajun?

I think it's the XLE, but I basically wrote and said "Need a halyard, this length, this color, this shackle". It's really, really nice in the hands. I replaced in right before putting the cover on for the winter, and when I bent on the main last week I was like "This line feels great and it coils so easily oh, that's right, it's brand new!" Jib halyard is in transit.

[Jim Walsh]

Lazy beaver at present has a main sheet halyard of wire, from the sail, spliced to rope . When the sail is fully up, the wire is down as far as the mast winch. This makes things difficult as the wire does not bend readily round the winch and slips. Is there any reason it has to be wire? Could the halyard be replaced entirely in rope?

Any thoughts?

Regards

Most have done away with wire to rope spliced halyards on this side of the pond. Any good double braid would be sufficient, such as Marlow or Premium Ropes, available in the U.K..
I haven’t used wire halyards since 1978. Double braid is relatively easy to splice yourself or you can just use a buntline hitch to tie directly to the headboard or headboard shackle. This also allows you to end-for-end your halyards to extend their useful life.
https://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/buntline-hitch

[Sailingscotland]

All useful info. Thanks for all the replies. Btw, the new sails make a HUGE difference. Just need to mouse and measure before calling on the services of the local chandlers where my wife used to work. Hoping for ‘mates rates’ or maybe x staff discount

Regards

[appletim1]

Good stuff.