I have found a great source for 3/8 yacht braid, and plan to replace most of the running rigging on my 26, I notice the Halyards are spec'd for 5/16, I am a little leary of handling the mast raising chore with that 10 year old 5/16 line,and would like to replace it with the new 3/8" I am wondering if the halyard mast, and deck pulleys can handle a 3/8 line (LOOKS fine??), since it will cost me less to buy this spool of 3/8 I'd rather make all sheets and halyards 3/8...discuss
Halyards/sheets question
- Thread starter Rob19626
- Start date
- Status
Rob
The larger the line size the greater the turning friction and the harder to raise sail. If 5/16" line is already working for you, why opt for a larger line size? Usually the smaller the line size the less the cost. I wouldn't let a few dollars stand in my way, you may regret the increased friction. Plenty of folks have experienced just this problem. I'm the kind of crazy that opts for the smallest line possible. Switching to hi-tech line will allow you to have even smaller line size with greater strength and less stretch, but at the cost of a higher price. The gain is better sail shape and less friction. A no brainer for me.
The larger the line size the greater the turning friction and the harder to raise sail. If 5/16" line is already working for you, why opt for a larger line size? Usually the smaller the line size the less the cost. I wouldn't let a few dollars stand in my way, you may regret the increased friction. Plenty of folks have experienced just this problem. I'm the kind of crazy that opts for the smallest line possible. Switching to hi-tech line will allow you to have even smaller line size with greater strength and less stretch, but at the cost of a higher price. The gain is better sail shape and less friction. A no brainer for me.
While Alan...
... is right about increased friction, it may not be much of an increase (assuming it'll fit your blocks and sheaves). To me the issue would not be friction in a boat of your size, but rather the feel or "hand" of the line. A larger line is going to feel more comfortable in your hand when you are using it than a smaller line. Strength of either line is not a significant issue as both would do fine. My suggestion would be to take an old piece of 3/8 in line, attach it (carefully!) to the bitter end of your halyard and run it up the mast to see if it'll smoothly run thru your block/sheave at the masthead. Hard to imagine it would not,but it may be worth testing first.
... is right about increased friction, it may not be much of an increase (assuming it'll fit your blocks and sheaves). To me the issue would not be friction in a boat of your size, but rather the feel or "hand" of the line. A larger line is going to feel more comfortable in your hand when you are using it than a smaller line. Strength of either line is not a significant issue as both would do fine. My suggestion would be to take an old piece of 3/8 in line, attach it (carefully!) to the bitter end of your halyard and run it up the mast to see if it'll smoothly run thru your block/sheave at the masthead. Hard to imagine it would not,but it may be worth testing first.
line source
here is a link to that line source..Since I only use the Jib halyard to raise the mast, I figured it would be less likely to fail, that 5/16 looks so skinny for such a massive load (mast WITH genny attached)
here is a link to that line source..Since I only use the Jib halyard to raise the mast, I figured it would be less likely to fail, that 5/16 looks so skinny for such a massive load (mast WITH genny attached)
- Status