headsail rope size

[Rick]

Im about to replace the headsail rope on my 85 H285. My question is 3/8 rope or 1/2 rope? Also Im guessing 90 feet is enough? Thanks in advance for the advise. Rick

 

[Steve Dion]

Doubt 1/2

Rick:I doubt that you would be looking at 1/2". That is actually the spec for our '85 H'31. We had problems with the line, so we downsized to 7/16" and it work great.You may also want to consider a higher tech line and you can go even smaller. If you contact Hunter, they will give you all of the diameters & line lengths.You can calc. the length by doubling the mast length and adding the tail back to the winch/line clutch. I always like a few extra feet so I can take them back to my jib sheet winches in case of a problem.

 

[Warren Milberg]

Line Size

Rick:I assume you are asking about headsail sheets and not halyards? I'm using 7/16ths fuzzy Dacron on my H28.5 and it works well. Has a nice feel and works well in the Maxwell winches. While a smaller size (and higher tech) would certainly have the strength needed, the main question would seem to be what would work best with whatever winches you have and how you feel about "feel." If you are referring to the headsail halyard, and you have furling, I would use 3/8 in as feel is not important with a line you don't use often.

 

[John]

Line size

My halyard is 100 X 3/8, and my sheets are 45 X 3/8 each for the same boat.