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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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halyard messenger line

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/03/2005 : 04:16:20

I want to remove my halyards from my mast. What is a good messenger line that doesn't cost almost as much as the halyard itself? I'm going to need about 300 feet of the stuff and 40 cents afoot is out of the question.

Thanks.

Rick

Edited by - existentialsailor on 12/03/2005 13:02:34

RickStevens
1st Mate

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USA
62 Posts

Response Posted - 12/03/2005 : 07:03:35

Are you just going to replace the old halyards with new? If so, the tracers can be anything light and strong. A spool of nylon kite string would do the trick for that -- and only costs a couple of bucks.

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 12/03/2005 : 08:37:01

Hi Rick, what is tracer line and what run or combo of runs is 300 feet long on your boat?

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 12/03/2005 : 10:14:53

"what is tracer line"

I reckon line to feed over the masthead (& etc.) when he takes the halyards off. My halyards are 65' and are run to the cockpit. If you had 3 (main, jib, spinnaker), that would get you real close to 200'... add a line for the spinnaker pole and you'll be approaching 300'.

If it's going to overwinter I'd use something more substantial than kite string... probably 1/8" braided nylon line from a hardware store.

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 12/03/2005 : 10:57:41

Thanks ClamBeach for the explanation. Cheers.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 12/03/2005 : 12:40:19

Often called a messenger

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 12/03/2005 : 13:07:59

Thanks Frank,
That made it a heck of a lot easier to find at Layline. I edited the topic line as well so if someone searches later they can find this thread.

Clam,
You are correct, I want to pull the halyards for the winter. My Capri halyards also go back to the cockpit and because my mast is taller by 2 feet than a regular Cat 25, I have 4 extra feet on each halyard to consider. Of course, the messenger line doesn't have to go back to the cockpit, so probably 250 feet is more accurate. At 12 cents afoot, it's much more reasonable.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 12/04/2005 : 08:39:27

you whould be able to pick up a reel of some stren fishing line, I think 30 or 40 weight. That should do it. there is also 1/32 line that you can get at any west marine or at layline that comes on a spool that will handle what you need.

If there are any doctors lurking, the stren is about the same diameter and strength of 5-0 ethibond suture material. (don't ask how I know - there isn't enough time in the day to tell the stories.)

You will probably walk away under 35 bucks for the line.

Instead of removing the halyards, have you thought of wrapping the mast, its cheaper, just as effective plus there are other benefits.

dw

Edited by - on

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 12/04/2005 : 13:27:07

No I hadn't thought of wrapping the mast. I don't drop the mast for the winter, is that of significance when wrapping?
What is the process?
Got the messenger line for $32 shipped from Layline.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 12/05/2005 : 07:38:41

I took a guess that the only reason you would want to pull the halyards was that you wanted to protect them from the elements. Wrapping the mast would do that. There are a number of ways to cover it, however all of them entail dropping the mast for the winter. Some people have nice sunbrella covers, others by length of ten mil plastic, and some yards have plastic bags on a roll without any ends (long plastic bag /tube). We buy a roll of plastic wrap from the food section of cost-co and wrap the entire thing, overlapping by about a 3rd. The only real factor is that you have to do it when everything is dry. It will keep the weather away from the mast, any blocks, and all your lines.

dw

Edited by - on

ilnadi
Captain

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452 Posts

Response Posted - 12/05/2005 : 16:09:56

When we replaced the halyards we only put the mainsail haylard in. The headsail is on a furler so we left a messenger in place of the jib halyard so th eunused halyard does not hang there in the elements. We use 1/8 Braid from WM, it is strong enough to hold a small tarp over the front hatch to kep the sun and rain out.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 12/10/2005 : 11:07:00

Lowes & Home depot sell a sheathed line, 100' at around $4.00.
We bought the blue stuff, useful all over the place.

Edited by - on

Andy_334
Navigator

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USA
206 Posts

Response Posted - 01/02/2006 : 17:59:49

We use 1/8" braided line from hardwear store.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.