Submitted on August 13, 2003 by Mark, El Segundo

Question: Hi, Saw your interesting website. I have a self furling jib system on an old Cal 25. The jib halyard metal line snapped a month ago. I was told I needed a new sheave at the top of the mast and also a jib halyard restraint. Both contributed to the snapping of the halyard line. What is a roller furler jib halyard restraint?

Thanks, Mark
El Segundo

Answer: Hi Mark, A restrainer is simply a block or fairlead that is fixed to the mast below the halyard sheave. The purpose of the restrainer is to increase the angle of the halyard from the head swivel of your furling system to the mast so it is further from parallel with the headstay. If the halyard is close to the same angle as the headstay, it can wrap around the stay, jamming up the furling system. Another benefit of the restrainer is it keeps the halyard in alignment with the halyard sheave.
A wire halyard will eventually wear grooves in the halyard sheave, and in extreme cases the halyard can chip the sides of the sheave. Changing the sheave is a simple and inexpensive job so it makes sense to replace a worn sheave when you replace the halyard. If you elect to use a high modulus rope halyard you definitely need to replace the sheave.

Regards, Dan Neri

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