Mainsheet Line

[dupek]

On my Watkins 27, I have about 75% steel and 25% rope. How do I replace the rope?. The steel line is in excellent shape.

[callmecrazy]

You mean the main Halyard?

You can take the whole thing to a rigger, or westmarine, and have them splice a new rope to the wire. Or you can replace the whole thing with rope (if appropriate on you're boat).

Or you can learn to do the splice yourself and give it a try.

[Jimbo2010]

Use high quality line not wire, those days are gone.

My backstay is Spec12, the wire was never used.

[Gudgeon]

Ensure you check out the sheave when changing from wire to rope. It needs to be the correct size for the rope. Also there could be burrs in it that would cause the rope to chaff

[SkiprJohn]

Main sheet is always all line. Your main halyard can be a combination of line and flexible stainless wire. As others have said you can change to all line but make certain the line is a special non-stretch made for the purpose.
I'm pretty certain you are talking about the main halyard that hauls your mainsail up?
kind regards,

[sigmasailor]

Originally Posted by SkiprJohn

Main sheet is always all line. Your main halyard can be a combination of line and flexible stainless wire.
kind regards,

Agreed; when I brought a similar halyard to the rigger he explained he would be unable to re-splice the stainless steel since it had aged (was 20 years old) and wasn't supple enough any more. I had a similar all new one made. Your sheaves (masthead) are grooved for two diameters. Take care when going for modern (smaller diameter) lines; they might not fit your sheaves.

Eric

[psk125]

If you go for an all-line halyard, the new materials are strong enough to end up being thinner than the wire was, just as strong if not stronger, and with less stretch (which is why the wire was originally used). Don't get line that thin: it will hurt your hands pulling it up. Larger diameter line (spectra, dyneema, etc.) will be stronger than necessary, but more comfortable on your hands. If you get the same diameter as the line on your old halyard was, it should fit the masthead sheaves with no problem. Spinning the sheaves with some sandpaper in the groove should take care of any burrs.