Halyards & sheaves

[Doug]

I need to replace my rope & wire halyards in the next couple of days.  The old ones have some meat hooks, and I need to send someone to the mast head for a new wind vane. Thought it would be polite to put on decent halyards first.

Was going to replaced with wire & rope, but would like to change to all rope.

After searching the site I can see all kinds of opinions on size & type of line.  Do you have to change the sheaves for the 3/8 line?

[Terry Forshier]

I recently changed my main halyard. The line I changed out was larger diameter than the one I replaced it with (5/16) . (this is the original recomendation in the manual) Now raising the mainsail is much easier as the line slides through the cam cleat amd lead holes and pulleys much easier. I think the old line was binding in the holes and cleats. Going the other way (changing to larger diameter) you may find the line binding up.
Terry

[Jeff Kaplan]

doug, the manual states 3/8" line for the main halyard and i would stay with that size. these boats carry a lot of sail, and even though 5/16" may work, i like the safety and feel of a larger line. whatever you chose, get a  good quality, low stretch line....jeff

[Ted Pounds]

Layline makes a combination halyard that replaces the wire with high-tech line.  Eliminates the meat-hooks but still runs like wire and is low stretch.  Might be worth looking into.

[Ron Hill]

Doug : Everything on a C34 is set up for 3/8" halyards - DO NOT GO SMALLER !!  You can get by going one size larger to 7/16", but you might get some added friction as everything is set up for 3/8" line. 
Call Garhauer, as I can't remember if the mast head sheaves were the wire/rope type or just rope sheaves !!   

[Terry Forshier]

oops, I did mean 3/8 and down from 7/16. Sorry I wrote from memory and did not get the maunal out.