As a rigger, I also tie a small messenger to the halyard, so if the knot/line holing the tape measurer, or if the tape measurer itself breaks, you can simply pull the messenger down to retrieve the halyard and won't have to hoist someone up the mast...
OK, for what purpose is the halyard measured for length? If it's just to know what length, that would be the simplest. However, if you are measuring the halyard for replacement, would it be easier to put a fish line in and take the old halyard to the rigging shop for them to use it as the perfect example? but, what do I know?
Hi David, Length is primarily needed for ordering a replacement. Being able to leave your existing halyard in is desired if you want to be able to sail while your new halyard is being ordered, fabricated and shipped to you. Hope this clarifies. Thanks, APS
Hi Joe, Good question. No. Not knowing how the end would be finished or spliced, that length is not in the finished halyard length. I will annotate your point in this video though. Thanks, Kyle
It usually depends of the type of halyard you are using. For example, if you are using a double braid halyard, with a Dyneema@ core and plan on building a double braid splice, then you should add 100 x times the core diameter for the bury and enough for your eye splice. With a 3/8" halyard, and a core of 5/16", you should therefore add about 3 feet to your halyard measurement so you can properly build the splice. Also, if you build a cover to cover splice on the tail of the halyard, I usually add another foot where the core will be removed.
