Internal Halyards?

[SV Island Jade]

I'm still trying to get Island Jade ready for some coastal cruising and I have replaced all of the running rigging.  All of my halyards are external.  This seems like a mess of lines and I'm used to internal halyards.  Has anyone led theirs inside?  With the masts up?  Weigh in here guys and girls and let me know how it worked out or why you would never, never, never lead your halyards inside   I'm getting close to having it as it should be, but there is plenty to do!

bnowlin48
Sailing P365 Ketch #48
On Galveston Bay, TX

[Higgins]

I ran all mine internally a few years back.  I had to pull the masts as the mast head had to be removed and holes drilled to accommodate for the new path of the halyards.  I also removed all hardware and shortened the fasteners so that they were flush with the inside of the mast... otherwise you will snag your halyards making it impossible to drop your sails which could be dangerous.  I overlooked one fastener on the mizzen mast head and, sure enough, got the mizzen halyard stuck.  Fortunately, I was at the dock without the sail raised but it still took me all day to free the halyard.  The biggest advantage is that I don't need to live with the halyard slap.  Also, you can run 4 halyards internally as opposed to 2 externally.  On one side I have a jib halyard and backup and on the other side I have the main and a main backup which doubles as my topping lift.  I also put a small cam at the exit plate of the topping lift/backup halyard so that I can take in or let out the lift quickly with one hand without fussing with the cleat. Originally, my topping lift consisted of a wire fixed to the mast head and small block and jam-cleat near the aft end of the boom.  I find that the ability to control everything at the mast (other than the sheet) is much more convenient.

Just be sure your halyards aren't going to snag on anything internally, rub against tie-wraps, rough areas, etc.  Also, mark the spots where you want to install the exit plates before you pull the masts.  I kinda "guessed" the proper location once they were out and ended putting one too low.  It's functional but I think it's better to have them high enough so that you can haul on the halyard with a full reach over your head instead of at shoulder level.