Running Rigging Replacement

[Mark Wey]

It is time to replace my running rigging. Has anybody on a C-36 used the wire spliced to rope halyards? Is there any issues regarding masthead pulley size etc? Any reason to not use them?

Thanks,

Mark

[TomSoko]

Mark,
I don't know of any sailboat manufacturer who still uses wire-to-rope halyards. They were used extensively 20-30-40 years ago, but with the advent of high-tech cordage, why would you? You would have to replace the halyard sheaves, as the ones installed on our boats are designed for rope, not wire. As wire-to-rope halyards wear, they develop nasty "meat hooks". Most owners of older boats which have wire-to-rope halyards are going the other way. They are replacing them with low stretch rope. Just a thought.

[Creedence623]

I had the wire/rope combo on my last boat (a 36' Lancer) and I really had no problems whatsoever. The running rigging was about 5 years old, and performed flawlessly. I can't speak to replacing the sheaves as my last boat has the rope/wire combo for the whole time I owned it, but again I was completely satisfied. Now, having a Catalina 36 with rope only, I don't see a benefit either way. Both get my sails up effectively.

[bcam]

The nice thing about replacing halyards is that you can change from one color line to different colors for each sail. I have gone to Sta-Set X from WM with good results. They also offer splicing, which I used for the new shackles. I merely cut the shackle off the old halyard, sewed the bitter end of the new halyard to the exposed end of the old and pulled the halyard through.

[Mark Wey]

Guys,

Thanks for the feedback. I had these wire to rope halyards on my c-30. Tom you are right as the meat hooks tended to cause blood stains on the sails etc. The only reason I was thinking of them is for better luff tension. Especially on the main. The halyards that came as standard equipment om my 2004 C-36 are not of the highest quality. I guess I have to do some more research on low stretch lines.

Cheers,

Mark

[dmotter]

Mark,

I replaced my running rigging this past year with low-stretch lines and I'm very pleased with the results. I can get adequate tension in the luff and the replacement was very easy to do from deck level.

When I replaced my halyards, I looked in the owner's manual for the length needed. If memory serves me, I think it was 115 feet (standard rig). That length was more than I needed. You may want to check the actual length of your halyards and you may be able to save a few dollars.