Marking the main halyard

[Aroha]

I’d like to put markers on my main halyard at the approximate area it is to be cleated for the first and second reefs allowing me to cleat if off more quickly
Is there a way to mark a halyard such that the mark is easily visible but won’t get caught in the Sheeve at the top of the mast

[rene460]

Hi Aroha,

I use a sailmakers needle and some whipping twine to make a tight sailmakers whipping around the halliard so that it is just approaching the clutch at the correct hoist.  When reefing, I can lower the halliard until the whipping just appears on the mast side of the clutch then set about tightening the reefing lines.  This way, the whipping is not on the part gripped by the clutch.

I have been using this method for years on both this and previous boat with no snags.

When finishing the whipping, after the reef knots, I usually thread the end of the twine into the core for a short distance, and with a bit of fiddling, I can cut off the excess and pull the cut end back into the core.

Rene460

[david100]

I've used a Sharpie marker on mine.  Depending on the color of your halyard, you can use different colors for each reef mark, as I have.  It does require touch up but it sure is easy.

[Don Reaves]

I use an indelible marker also. Very easy to do and no chance of binding. It will fade after a while, and you will have to renew it. Also, the line may stretch, or you may feel that you have marked the wrong location. In that case, the whipping twine would have an advantage, as it would be removable.

Don

[hoppy]

Apr 30, 2018 11:23:38 GMT rene460 said:

Hi Aroha,

I use a sailmakers needle and some whipping twine to make a tight sailmakers whipping around the halliard so that it is just approaching the clutch at the correct hoist.  When reefing, I can lower the halliard until the whipping just appears on the mast side of the clutch then set about tightening the reefing lines.  This way, the whipping is not on the part gripped by the clutch.

I have been using this method for years on both this and previous boat with no snags.

When finishing the whipping, after the reef knots, I usually thread the end of the twine into the core for a short distance, and with a bit of fiddling, I can cut off the excess and pull the cut end back into the core.

Rene460

I do the same, although I have my marks on the winch side of the clutch. I added the whipping twine about 5 years ago and it's still there and the positions are still correct and the bright contrasting colour is still very easy to see.