Genoa halyard chafe

[NoTies]

In the course of replacing all my standing & running rig I let myself get talked into replacing my genoa halyard with all spectra instead of braid/wire. Didn't seem to be a problem but I now realise that I will get some chafe issues where the halyard exits the top and passes though a fairlead (to stop the halyard twisting around the forestay and furler) Am I worrying for nothing or should I splice a wire pennant in, fit some other sort of chafe protection/prevention?

[delmarrey]

I'm assuming the fairlead is just a bail rather then a roller. As long as the wire hasn't cut a grove in the fairlead and there isn't a lot of tension on the halyard, the spectra should be OK as long as it's not the X. The spectra X doesn't like friction on the skive............................_/)

[NoTies]

Thanks Delmarrey,
It is a bail fairlead but hasn't been marked at all by the previous wire. I guess I should look at the lead angle when I get the mast back on (please God, give me some time!!!) and see where I go from there. I've never used Spectra before so am a bit unsure about it's proerties.

[delmarrey]

West Marine: T-100 Technora-Spectra Double Braid Product Display

High-performance, double-braided line that consists of a 100% Technora® core contained within a braided polyester jacket, which creates an extremely high-strength and abrasion-resistant rope. It has ultra-low elongation, excellent strength-to-weight ratio and wet/dry strength retention and it’s torque-free and easy to render and to splice. High performance in small diameters.

• Best Use: Highly loaded vangs, travelers, cascading control systems and other low-stretch applications
• Construction: Double Braid
• Cover Fiber/Construction: Braided Polyester
• Core Fiber/Construction: Technora-Spectra braid
• Stretch 0.8% at 15% of breaking strength
• Color: White/Red-Gold Stripe

It's good for what you'll be using it for................................._/)

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by pwederell

Thanks Delmarrey,
It is a bail fairlead but hasn't been marked at all by the previous wire. I guess I should look at the lead angle when I get the mast back on (please God, give me some time!!!) and see where I go from there. I've never used Spectra before so am a bit unsure about it's proerties.

I have been using Spectra lines for halyards for a long time -- they are great! I would suggest changing out the bail style fairlead for a sheaved one [Harken]. This further reduces any chance of chafe. I have not yet had any issues with chafe if in this application with a Harken fairlead as long as the lead is properly positioned.