Hi
Currently my boat has a rope and wire halyard but the rope is really frayed and about to snap.
I heard that wire main halyards are a thing of the past and new ropes are the way to go.
Can someone please recommend a suitable rope type for a main halyard and where to buy it from?
Thanks for any advice :)
8mm spectra if its going through jammers. Less if its going onto an old mast winch that had wire. EBay is as good as any.
All halyards are spectra / dyneema these days, SS wire long gone.
Try boating hardware in oconnor.
We replaced most of our halyards last year - I'd sell you our "decent" old ones for beer, but they are probably too big for your rig
Hi the,
I believe that if you are changing from wire to rope, (wire rope to braided rope, but you know what I mean), you should change the masthead sheaves.
There are different sheaves for braid and wire.
Not the end of the world.
I will say that I did not change my headsail sheave, but I made sure I had some extra length, and I keep checking the spectra for chaff, so far so good, a bit over 12 months and no sign of any damage yet. 
But you would need to keep an eye on it over a couple of short trips 1st, any sign of chaff, change the sheave, cut the chaffed bit off the halyard and go from there.
Cheers
Rick
ropegalore.com.au/
SirJman put this link up a while ago I have not used them yet but probably will later on
Select to expand quotestonedpirate said..
Cool
Thanks guys
After much reading, dyneema it is :)
Cheers
I am wondering if Dyneema is so strong and your replacing wire rope halyards with Dyneema what thickness would you use
Ramona Quoted this which makes sense
8mm spectra if its going through jammers. Less if its going onto an old mast winch that had wire. EBay is as good as any.
The original post is now ten months old and the OP has likely resolved his issues in that time frame.
Select to expand quoteLooseChange said..
The original post is now ten months old and the OP has likely resolved his issues in that time frame. thanks loose change 
Select to expand quoteLooseChange said..
The original post is now ten months old and the OP has likely resolved his issues in that time frame.
That surprises me.
In the land sailing forum if a topic gets that old the moderator has to unlock it
Aren't we lucky we have no moderator for the sailing forum??...............except maybe thee. 
Well my 4 mm Spectra halyard for my Corsair arrived during the week. Off EBay of course. Just as well someone listens to my advice!
For me a big factor for choosing my main halyard was a line that I'd be comfortable climbing up on. Thus I replaced ~4mm spectra with 8mm double braid poly, this was the biggest size I could get away with the existing sheave. Ideally you want a main halyard line with minimal stretch, but for a cruising clansman who gives a rats ass. I'm planning on replacing my wire mast winch with a plain open style.
You could keep a dedicated climbing halyard in the hanging locker next to your suit and tie. When needed, it will be in 100% perfect condition for climbing and can be pulled thru the mast using another halyard of your choice.
I have problems getting a decent grip on small diameter lines because my hands are stiff (I can't clench my fist tightly)
I find that anything smaller than 8 mm is a bit of a struggle for me to get a decent grip on without wrapping it around my hand
Regards Don
Same here Don,
So I've actually just re-rigged SEAKA with 10 mm and used Dyneema on the Main and Jib halyards only.
Used 10 mm double braid on the spare halyard and reefing lines.
Rebuilt the mast head to put in the proper size pulleys and add a topping lift which is the only 8 mm rope.
Very happy
Select to expand quoteJolene said..
You could keep a dedicated climbing halyard in the hanging locker next to your suit and tie. When needed, it will be in 100% perfect condition for climbing and can be pulled thru the mast using another halyard of your choice.
Yep. Climbing rope off eBay. Right size for the equipment and a bit more give than normal halyard rope like Spectra.
nswsailor, my way too, 10mm just right,
and easy on pocket too
by the way my 4by4 friends, claim Dyneema is UV unstable and keep it out sun or install the winch cover.
Ramona....is it climbing rope significantly better than double braid ?
Select to expand quoteJolene said..
You could keep a dedicated climbing halyard in the hanging locker next to your suit and tie. When needed, it will be in 100% perfect condition for climbing and can be pulled thru the mast using another halyard of your choice.
This is what I do. I've got about 30m of response rope that I hoist with the main halyard and topping lift as a backup. Then climb with two ascenders using single rope climbing techniques. The response rope only gets pulled up to the top of the mast.
