Hi Bryan.

Thanks for the information and this was exactly what I was looking for.

Thanks again!

:: Last season I finally went from wire to rope which I
:: think most boats have already done long ago.
::
:: Today's rope is plenty strong enough and far
:: lighter/pleasanter than the wire rope.
::
:: I use 6mm Vectran from West Marine. I stripped the cover
:: off the top so when the sail is up, the cover begins
:: about where the halyard exists the mast at the bottom.
:: The connection to the shackle is spliced for strength.
::
:: I didn't change out my sheave (which is recommended) as
:: a visual inspection showed it to be good shape and not
:: scored by the wire. The new rope halyard doesn't seem to
:: be suffering from the old sheave.
::
:: Others have reported that when switching if they don't
:: replace the sheave their rope halyard will get eaten up
:: pretty quickly by the sheave if the sheave was worn by
:: the wire.
::
:: Bryan
::
:: :: Today, we put up the mast for another sailing season.
:: :: After doing an inspection of everything on the mast, all
:: :: looked good but the two plates at the top of the mast
:: :: that enclose the main halyard sheave.
:: ::
:: :: It appears the halyard has been wearing into the plates.
:: :: I still have a wire rope halyard for the main.
:: ::
:: :: My question is, what would cause the wear on the plates?
:: :: It almost looks like the halyard has been a rope saw on
:: :: this.
:: ::
:: :: Also, is it common to keep the wire halyard or have
:: :: people converted over to rope? If so what is required,
:: :: does the sheave in the mast have to be replaced.
:: ::
:: :: Thanks!