Can anybody give some direction as to the proper sixe (diameter) of rope to use for my main halyard? I have a 1980 Hunter 30. I believe the 1/2 inch I have on there now is over doing it. Thanks
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D
David
M
Mark Burrows
Popular topic lately
There has been a lot of discussion about halyard size lately. Mostly about the size that fits, friction, strength, materials, line handling, and clutches. Most of the discussion seem to be based on "my boat has" opinions. Are there rules of thumb used by riggers to make these types of selections? Seems line there should be, maybe based on the height of the mast, sail area, length of the run, existing sheave sizes, and whatever else is involved. Are there any riggers out there that will break the rigger's kay fabe (trade secrets)? Markdb
There has been a lot of discussion about halyard size lately. Mostly about the size that fits, friction, strength, materials, line handling, and clutches. Most of the discussion seem to be based on "my boat has" opinions. Are there rules of thumb used by riggers to make these types of selections? Seems line there should be, maybe based on the height of the mast, sail area, length of the run, existing sheave sizes, and whatever else is involved. Are there any riggers out there that will break the rigger's kay fabe (trade secrets)? Markdb
M
Mark
I Not a rigger but...
If you look in the West Marine catalog on page 847 you see a nice piece by New England Ropes. They also give reccomendations on the type of lines and what works best for what application.
If you look in the West Marine catalog on page 847 you see a nice piece by New England Ropes. They also give reccomendations on the type of lines and what works best for what application.
R
Ray
Mark B.
Marc, I have got to steal your little phrase "Most of the discussion seem to be based on "my boat has" opinions." This is very well said and, in actuality, pandemic. Thanks for verbalizing what I have been suspecting.
Marc, I have got to steal your little phrase "Most of the discussion seem to be based on "my boat has" opinions." This is very well said and, in actuality, pandemic. Thanks for verbalizing what I have been suspecting.
also having problems.
Murray: I am also having problems with my main halyard. While selecting halyards for our H'31 I checked with Hunter. We had a 1/2" main and 7/16" jib halyards. When I replaced my main halyard I used StaSet-X (thinking that this would be BETTER). I am going to replace the main halyard this spring with a 7/16" StaSet line. The StaSet-X is much stiffer and seems to be slightly larger than the standard StaSet. We just replaced halyards on my friends '79 Hunter 30 and used pre-made 7/16" halyards from West Marine. They worked very well.
Murray: I am also having problems with my main halyard. While selecting halyards for our H'31 I checked with Hunter. We had a 1/2" main and 7/16" jib halyards. When I replaced my main halyard I used StaSet-X (thinking that this would be BETTER). I am going to replace the main halyard this spring with a 7/16" StaSet line. The StaSet-X is much stiffer and seems to be slightly larger than the standard StaSet. We just replaced halyards on my friends '79 Hunter 30 and used pre-made 7/16" halyards from West Marine. They worked very well.
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Sam Lust
Secrets?
There are no rigging secrets. It's all based on formulae that have been around for decades. Work a 10 to 15 year apprenticeship, you'll know them. No time? Buy Brion Toss's book on rigging. I believe it's entitled The Rigger's Apprentice, available through most of the usual sources as well as his web site, which I believe is, oddly enough, briontoss.com or something close to that. In lieu of that, 3/8" up to about 29 feet, and 7/16 probably up to about 38 to 40 feet. I like Sta-Set for the head sail in the furler, Sta-Set-X for the main for lack of creep, Regata single braid for the main sheet; nice hand and hockle free. For the sheets forget the formula, go for the biggest that will run throught the sheaves so you have something to grab onto.
There are no rigging secrets. It's all based on formulae that have been around for decades. Work a 10 to 15 year apprenticeship, you'll know them. No time? Buy Brion Toss's book on rigging. I believe it's entitled The Rigger's Apprentice, available through most of the usual sources as well as his web site, which I believe is, oddly enough, briontoss.com or something close to that. In lieu of that, 3/8" up to about 29 feet, and 7/16 probably up to about 38 to 40 feet. I like Sta-Set for the head sail in the furler, Sta-Set-X for the main for lack of creep, Regata single braid for the main sheet; nice hand and hockle free. For the sheets forget the formula, go for the biggest that will run throught the sheaves so you have something to grab onto.
T
Terry
Assuming that you are a cruising sailor...
rather than a serious racing sailor like me, some factors apply in my case to determine the diameter. 1. The self tailer on my winch is sized to handle a certain diamter, 7/16th is about the smallest, but I use 1/2 inch. 2. One half inch feels good in my hand so that I can grip the rope easily, but again 1/2 inch feels the best. Sailnet.com has great prices on staset line. I saved about $60 on my last order compared to WM. Terry 3. My liner stopper supports certain diameters, 3/8th about the smallest.
rather than a serious racing sailor like me, some factors apply in my case to determine the diameter. 1. The self tailer on my winch is sized to handle a certain diamter, 7/16th is about the smallest, but I use 1/2 inch. 2. One half inch feels good in my hand so that I can grip the rope easily, but again 1/2 inch feels the best. Sailnet.com has great prices on staset line. I saved about $60 on my last order compared to WM. Terry 3. My liner stopper supports certain diameters, 3/8th about the smallest.
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