Halyard size

[sainted]

I'm getting set to replace the halyards on my Stevens 47. The existing halyards would appear to be 1/2" StaySet X, but I'm considering (being a kinda old school guy) going to wire halyards with rope tails.

What would be the appropriate sizes of each? By that I mean all rope, the wire and the tail.

Thanks.

[Bob Pingel]

I would not use wire/rope halyards, there are much better tools available today...

I have a Stevens 47 and I used 10mm T900 for my halyards. The rope has performed really well, but I do wish it was a little larger for handling reasons.

I like to spec halyard loads at 80% of peak end boom load, and then use a safety factor of 3. The Harken numbers on the Stevens are 3540#, so that would yield a required cordage tensile of 8496#.

If you are budget conscious, I'd use 1/2" stasetX

If you are weight conscious, I'd use 10mm T900

I good middle of the road might be 12mm VPC

If you do choose wire/rope, roughly 8500# is what I would design for.

Bob Pingel

[sainted]

Bob,

Really appreciate the reply.

Thanks!

[Stumble]

I agree with Bob's numbers. But I have to weigh in in agreement and suggest staying away from wire-rope halyards. With modern synthetics there is no good reason to use them. They are more expensive, weigh more, are prone to meethooking, and if you have the wrong shives in the mast can destroy a lot of gear.