I recently purchased a '94 Macgregor 26s, and judging by the condition of other rigging, I would not be surprised if the main and jib halyards were original equipment. Sidenote: I have recently replaced the mainsail and jib.
I recently installed a snubbing winch so I could get the halyard nice and tight, but usually find about an hour into a good sail that the luff of the sail has gone a bit slack. I was out recently and had a friend at the tiller, so had him come up to the wind briefly so I could tighten it, but after another hour of sailing, it appeared to have loosened up.
The halyard makes off to a standard cleat. I do a full loop around the base of the cleat before finishing in the standard figure-8, being sure to do it properly, so I'm pretty sure the rope is not slipping at the cleat.
Are older ropes more prone to stretching? Will I get less of this if I replace it with a new rope (assuming, of course, I buy the proper kind of rope)?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice!
Do I need to replace the main halyard?
- Stickinthemud57
- Captain
- Posts: 622
- Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2020 7:50 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26S
- Location: Grapevine, Texas
- Contact:
Do I need to replace the main halyard?
The key to inner peace is to admit you have a problem and leave it at that.
-
- Captain
- Posts: 562
- Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2015 6:49 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Camas, WA 98607
Re: Do I need to replace the main halyard?
I'd plan on replacing it. Blue Water Yachts has it for $43.56. http://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/l204-100.htm When I replaced a bunch of line on my West Marine was having a 30% or 40% off sale. BWY's price was still a little better and I like supporting them!
Jeff
Jeff
- WinSome
- Engineer
- Posts: 160
- Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2016 7:35 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Hamilton Ontario Canada
Re: Do I need to replace the main halyard?
Replace your halyard. I suspect the portion where it has been snubbed so many times is worn. Do yourself a favour and treat yourself to some other new lines also. They just work so well. I have found lots of uses for retired lines!
Take care.
Just here waiting’ for softer water!
Take care.
Just here waiting’ for softer water!
- NiceAft
- Admiral
- Posts: 6157
- Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2005 7:28 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Upper Dublin,PA, USA: 2005M 50hp.Honda4strk.,1979 Phantom Sport Sailboat, 9'Achilles 6HP Merc 4strk
Re: Do I need to replace the main halyard?
Stickinthemud57,
You say you have a new Jib and main. How new? New sails also stretch. That being the case, it may not be the halyard.
When I bought a new Genoa, I had to lengthen the halyard until the sail stretched.
You say you have a new Jib and main. How new? New sails also stretch. That being the case, it may not be the halyard.
When I bought a new Genoa, I had to lengthen the halyard until the sail stretched.
Ray ~~_/)~~
-
- First Officer
- Posts: 291
- Joined: Thu May 08, 2014 7:31 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26S
- Location: Great Plains
Re: Do I need to replace the main halyard?
You could mark your halyard at the cleat after you tie it off to confirm whether the line is slipping or stretching. That said, I tend to lean towards replacement on running rigging. Gives you a chance to practice finishing lines
And to confirm the cleat hitch is tied properly:
--john
And to confirm the cleat hitch is tied properly:
--john
- Russ
- Admiral
- Posts: 7543
- Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:01 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Bozeman, Montana "Luna Azul" 2008 M 70hp Suzi
Re: Do I need to replace the main halyard?
It's possible the previous owner used nylon for a halyard instead of non-stretch polyester.
If it looks to be in decent shape, I would try the suggestions above before replacing it. However, new halyards are not expensive. I'm considering replacing mine with a length long enough to make a loop and possibly a color so I can tell the crew "release the black line". It's so hard to explain which one is the halyard.
If it looks to be in decent shape, I would try the suggestions above before replacing it. However, new halyards are not expensive. I'm considering replacing mine with a length long enough to make a loop and possibly a color so I can tell the crew "release the black line". It's so hard to explain which one is the halyard.
--Russ