Halyard Problem

[capt lar]

I replace a couple of rope/wire halyards this fall and when checking the mast today noticed a candy cane look to my new halyards since one strand of the new wire is showing rust. I am guessing either the wire was contaminated or subgrade, but it is just one strand (6 total ?) on both new halyards.
How bad ? Options ? Replace (again)?

Larry

[Alan Wheeler]

I would return to the supplier. It sounds like one strand has missed a galv. It will result in faster than normal degradation of the wire. I would consider it a manufacturers problem and they surely should replace it.

[GMac]

I totally agree with Alan.

[CaptainK]

I too, also back up Wheeler. 100 %.

[capt lar]

I have never seen this before. I was hoping someone would suggest it was a contamination problem that would clean up rather than low quality strand. Since both new wire halwards have identical problem - gotta wonder how many defective were sold.

Larry

[Alan Wheeler]

It's possible many yards of this has indeed been sold and the factory may know about this. If by some remote chance the drum the cable came on is still around, it may have a bach No. on it. This will help in the factory tracking down a problem run and itedtifying that yours was part of a run others have been having trouble with.
So why aren't you using vectran or similar??? instead of wire. It's much better. I would never go back to wire halyards.

[capt lar]

Wheels - I guess it is a lack of knowledge. Sheaves will only handle 3/16" wire and I didn't know if there was an equal option in rope. Also, the sheaves are a lttle rough and I though abrasion could weaken rope. Also, I am comfortable in handling line in the 3/8" to 5/8" and the idea of running 1/4" line around a winch and/or cleating off was foreign. Also, deck organizers and rope clutches are sized for heavier line. It was just "easier" to replace what I had with same. New halyards are thru West Marine, but made by 3rd party. Since my 2 have the same "candy cane" problem, there will plenty of others. It is just one of the 7 strands that is bad. They will replace, but I guess I get more rigging practice.

Larry

[Alan Wheeler]

Fair nuff. It's never ...."plaijn sailing" is it

[Alan Wheeler]

How the heck did I get a j in there and worse, how the heck did I not see it.

[capt lar]

More important question is how did they get a bad strand in me halyards ! Seems I have another chance to order, so I will think on it.
The pain of small sheaves is you can only run line one way, so you have attach string to wire, feed all the way through, attach to new wire, feed back, then nico.

Larry

[Jon D]

I would seriously look at replacing the sheaves with new ones that will handle rope only. The need for wire rope is pretty much gone. Advantage of all line halyards is you can end for end them and no meat hooks. Strength is not an issue with a 'spectra' like or stronger core. Lots of choices and less weight aloft in most cases.

[capt lar]

Hey Jon - I considered it. I agree it is much better not to be restricted to wire. I looked at the construction and felt it was beyond my talent to do it myself (not a long walk) and since I am still actively looking for "the" boat, I did not want to pay a yard, but it would be worthwhile to ask them to price.

Larry

[Jon D]

Larry

Depending on the masthead it can actually be pretty simple and if the mast is off the boat it should be a do it yourself job.

Some mastheads just have a pin going through the mast that acts like an axle. You just pull the pin while holding the sheave [a piece of messenger line all the way around works well for this - you can use double stick tape or gum to keep it attached as you rotate it around ] from dropping down the mast and then slide the new one in using the same technique in reverse.

Others you need to actually take the mast apart and that is a bigger job.

[capt lar]

Yeah - Originally I thought I would find the first description, which I could easily handle, but when I pulled the stick I discovered I would need to remove the "head" (?) and then deal with not only sheaves but solid blocking spacers. Space where wire runs is so tight you can't even see all that you will be getting into. That's why you have to feed only cable thru sheave - even 3/8" line is too wide to pass when it rides up on top of shieve. It looked like a take apart, scratch head, need custom pieces, pay money, wait around, do it twice kind of deal and I went to plan B.

Larry

[delmarrey]

Capt. Lar,

Have you considered Samson's "Amsteel 12-strand single braid" it's stronger then SS wire of the same size. 7 x 19 - 3/16" SS wire is rated at 3,700 breaking strength.

http://sailingservices.com/running_r...spectron12.htm

http://www.samsonrope.com/home/gener...andlisting.cfm

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