Over time, your outrigger halyards will start to deteriorate from the effects of the sun and the wear and tear of going up and down through the pulleys and/or rings. You need to watch your halyard condition carefully; you don’t want to have to restring them while fishing, and it is much easier to do the preventive maintenance at the dock. If you are replacing the halyards in mid-season, or if you think one is going to break soon, here’s an easy way to re-string them without bringing the outriggers down.
Cut the halyard you are going to replace, and attach the ends securely to something that won’t let them fall off the riggers. Take the package of new halyard material and locate both ends in the package. Put a loop in the end toward the outer edge, and then poke a hole in the center of the package.
Secure the new halyard to the one you are going to replace, using some waxed thread and a series of half hitches.
Make sure it is tight and secure; you don’t want it to come apart as it goes through the eyes on the outrigger. Now, pull on the other end of the old halyard, and it will bring the new line with it. Your feet never have to leave the deck, and once you re-secure the halyard, you are ready to go.
