Do it in a jiffy with a tape splice
Issue 83: March/April 2012
I needed to replace the internal spinnaker halyard on my Catalina 27 and chose the easy way to do it, using the old halyard as the messenger for the new. It’ll work for you too.
Cut nice clean ends on both the old and the new line. Hold the butts together with about six inches of lament-reinforced strapping tape, the kind used to wrap packages. Wrap that with a minimum of two lengths of electrician’s tape (four if you are squeamish!). If you are still doubtful, you could substitute two (or four) windings with heavy thread for the electrician’s tape. The joint must be flexible so it will bend easily around the masthead sheave. Pulling as hard as I can, I have never been able to break this splice.
Now, if you have offered the right prayer to the right gods, you will end up with a new halyard and a really nice
87-foot tie-down rope for your truck!
Jim Hildinger has been sailing on Lake Tahoe for 51 years, first in an O’Day Tempest 23, then on his Catalina 27. He was president of the International Catalina 27/270 Association for a few years and remains active in the group.
Thank you to Sailrite Enterprises, Inc., for providing free access to back issues of Good Old Boat through intellectual property rights. Sailrite.com
