Mainsail Halyard source

[Kevin Henderson]

Getting ready to replace the main halyard.  Looking around I ran accross the "Instant Line Estimator" through another forum (Catalina Owners). 
I did a quick check and it came up with the following:
3/8 Samson XLS double braid (green tracer)
whipped on one end and on the other an eyesplice with a Ronstan Headboard shackle (1/4")
105' of line  (seems about 15 short?)

$131.00  seems like a great deal but I'm wondering if anyone else has had experience with this particular vendor.

[Ron Hill]

Kevin : 105 ft will make it, but you won't have a bunch of extra line. 

The 3/8" Sampson XLS line is a good choice. 
I prefer a no splices as then in 5+ years I can end for end the line and stagger the wear.  A thought

[Stu Jackson]

Ron's right, measure carefully, better more than less.

We have a BOWLINE on the headboard shackle, which is, IIRC, a Wichard shackle with the blue head.

Time for us to swap it out, end for end, but I'm still waiting for Ron to show up to do it for us. 

I figure the easiest way out is to reduce one end by about a foot, kinda the length of the figure eight at the cockpit end.

LONGER is MUCH better.  :D:D

[SailingJerry]

Kevin, I just installed 120' of Samson 3/8" for my main halyard on my tall rig. Just right with enough extra line to cut a foot off every couple of years and tie on with a bowline. Sorry, but the 105' sounds way too short.

[Les Luzar]

I agree with Ron and Stu.... Longer is better, and I too have a bowline knot on my main halyard schackle. Simpler is better for me. When I notice the line is wearing, I simply cut the line, heat and whip the end, and retie the bowline (I may even try the halyard knot). Just another thought.

[Jim Hardesty]

All good advice.  I'd buy the longer length.  Whip both ends.  A bowlin can sometimes be a little too long to get full lift on the sail.  Also doesn't work well with my roller furling main.  Here is the knot I use.  Don't want to claim that it's a better knot.  But, it works well for me.  BTW the shackle shown isn't a haylard shackle.

http://www.jeanneau-owners2.com/hintsandtips/id137.htm

Jim

[Steve McGill]

Kevin,

On the length I agree, 105' is too short. The owners manual for the MK1 shows std 115' / Tall 119'. I find on my rig the 115' is sufficient.

Good luck,

Steve

[Les Luzar]

Jim,
That looks like the halyard knot to me. It is supposed to hold well and it is more compact, which is good on the a halyard.

[Ron Hill]

Kevin : After seeing/rereading that your C34 is a tall rig I retract my recommendation that 105' is OK - 105' will be too short !!

[lazybone]

So who doesn't enjoy sitting in their cockpit on a nice windless day splicing up a halyard and being proud of their work afterwards?