J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Replacing Halyards

Hi All,
Just looking for a general consensus, what rope to people recommend as a good halyard replacement for the J30s?

Also, has anyone used those main track fabric steps that you hoist up the mast to climb the mast? Thinking about getting these for inspection, installations, etc. Thoughts?

Happy Thanksgiving BTW.

If just generally cruising and some racing, for the main and jib halyard New England Rope Sta Set X (parallel core) is reasonable cost, good, low stretch and resists abrasion. Higher performance stuff and more expensive New England Ropes Endura braid, V-100, T-900 or VPC. You need to determine what level of performance you want.

Here is a link for a good selection chart from Samson ropes

Thanks Bill. Size I'm assuming is 3/8?

Yes 3/8" - there is a good chart with sizes for rigging if on the menu you mouse over "Info", "Articles of Interest", and click on "J30 Rigging Information".

I've been using sta set x for halyard line and seems to perform reasonably well for what I'm doing. I wouldn't bother with one of those rope ladder thingys. Just get yourself a climbing harness and a pal to belay you on the winch; it's good exercise shimmying up the pole (been up there more than I'd like to have been this past season).

Ahhh thanks again!

Thanks JBierman. Trying to think of a friend who I would trust to man the winch without having visions of my clinging to the mast for dear life as they got distracted.....Have you used the rope ladder? Is it more cumbersome? The issue is that in most cases I"m doing work solo...

I used New England V-12 for my Main and Jib halyards - half covered and half uncovered.
Main 1/4"
Jib 3/16

Spin Amsteel - 3/16 - for a color option!

What Josh said...
Get some climbing gear from REI - even my wife can climb the mast.
Jumar Handles as opposed to Petzl, but that's the 'old school' climber...
We raise the main halyard with an attached thicker halyard because of the uncovered lines we use. Jib halyard as a safety.

I've got some halyards left from Falcon that are still in good shape if you needs some and want a deal let me know

401 965 2235 cssj30@gmail.com

A local sailor made a 10 mm mainsail halyard. This is a bit too thick.

Anyone think 8mm is the magic thickness? I think 1/4" is a common main halyard thickness which is approximately 6.35 mm.