Main Halyard Chewed Up.

Bought a new main halyard at the beginning of the season and it is getting really chewed up, just above the slug that catches in the "prongs" on the mast. I happened to notice today that there was something shiny on the halyard and noticed that the wire part inside the rope was showing through.

I don't gather that this is normal, especially with only 3/4 of a season on the halyard. It's of the wire/rope variety.

Any ideas as to what might be causing this?

I can go take some pictures this week if it will help. It's really chewed up.

This is a Comptip halyard, right?

Sounds like you have burrs on the halyard catch. Take a file to it and smooth it out.

You may also have chafe from trailering, since that's the part of the main halyard that's typically by the forward mast stand.

Good thoughts. Thank you.

I guess I'll have to drop the mast next weekend, when I have crew to help, and look at the burrs.

Until then I'll have to pray that it doesn't break while I'm out sailing. I've been going out after work to practice my tacks.

Meaning that the mast is up all season or for long periods? Maybe the sails are also up for long periods?

Be sure there is tension on the loose end of the halyard line so it doesn't flail around in the breeze and work the connection near the fork.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

The mast is usually up for a few weeks at a time. The sails spend most of their time in the trailer tube.

I'm really good about taking the halyard and pulling it tight when the boat is sitting in the mast-up lot. I'm a little OCD about my sails, so I actually drop them when I beach it for the girlfriend to run into the portajohn on the beach.