Replacing aluminum sheaves...aluminum or delrin?

[david2014]

Hi,
I just acquired a 1989 Corsair F-27 trimaran that has been in storage for 11 years. It still has the original rope/wire halyards so I'm going to replace them with new endurabraid rope halyards. The halyard sheaves are aluminum, 2 and 3/8" OD, 1/2" ID, 3/4" wide, old but not rough to the feel. I've been told I should replace the sheaves. Should I replace them or can I just polish them up? If I replace them should I go with new aluminum ones with a v groove or delrin rope only?
Thanks

[Essington]

I just did this very thing to an old 1963 Columbia 24. Replaced the wire (5/32") to rope (3/8") with Endura Braid (5/16") with a stripped cover. In my case the core of the Endura Braid was larger than the old cable, so the sheave groove was too small anyway.

I called up Mr Louchard at Zephyrwerks (he's in Brion's recommended links section) and had him make a new batch of Delrin (with bronze bushings) sheaves. The new Delrin sheaves are a perfect fit to the masthead and the new halyards. Way better than trying to make rope run through old cable sheaves.

Order new sheaves with the proper groove profile to fit your new rope halyards, you won't be dissapointed.

Oh, and Ed at Zephyrwerks does fantastic custom work for just about the same price (or cheaper) that you'd pay for stock off the shelf sheaves.