I am having new lines put on my boat (Legend 35.5). I figured the manufactured recommended diameters would be the way to go. However, the rigger put 3/8 on the halyards versus 7/16 (man. recommended). And, now he is saying I should use 5/16 on the jib furling line versus 7/16 as it says in the manual. My question is should I stay with the Hunter diameters as listed in the manual or go with the rigger's recommendations? Thanks JD
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I am having new lines put on my boat (Legend 35.5). I figured the manufactured recommended diameters would be the way to go. However, the rigger put 3/8 on the halyards versus 7/16 (man. recommended). And, now he is saying I should use 5/16 on the jib furling line versus 7/16 as it says in the manual. My question is should I stay with the Hunter diameters as listed in the manual or go with the rigger's recommendations? Thanks JD
Depends on your insurance policy
Medical and life insurance that is. Unless the rigger is replacing your line with some high tech line that has more strength per diameter than the stock line, I'd stick with the larger size. The loads on some lines, like halyards, can be more than interesting when they break. I did use a smaller line on my '84 H34 but it was a high tech line with a breaking strength significantly more than a stock, standard 7/16 inch halyard that is normally used.
Medical and life insurance that is. Unless the rigger is replacing your line with some high tech line that has more strength per diameter than the stock line, I'd stick with the larger size. The loads on some lines, like halyards, can be more than interesting when they break. I did use a smaller line on my '84 H34 but it was a high tech line with a breaking strength significantly more than a stock, standard 7/16 inch halyard that is normally used.
Depends on your insurance policy
Medical and life insurance that is. Unless the rigger is replacing your line with some high tech line that has more strength per diameter than the stock line, I'd stick with the larger size. The loads on some lines, like halyards, can be more than interesting when they break. I did use a smaller line on my '84 H34 but it was a high tech line with a breaking strength significantly more than a stock, standard 7/16 inch halyard that is normally used.
Medical and life insurance that is. Unless the rigger is replacing your line with some high tech line that has more strength per diameter than the stock line, I'd stick with the larger size. The loads on some lines, like halyards, can be more than interesting when they break. I did use a smaller line on my '84 H34 but it was a high tech line with a breaking strength significantly more than a stock, standard 7/16 inch halyard that is normally used.
Furler
I switched to the 5/16 for the furler on my 35.5 after the 7/16 broke and have had no problem. Can't respond to the halyard question but would be inclined to go with manufacturers recommendation.
I switched to the 5/16 for the furler on my 35.5 after the 7/16 broke and have had no problem. Can't respond to the halyard question but would be inclined to go with manufacturers recommendation.
Furler
I switched to the 5/16 for the furler on my 35.5 after the 7/16 broke and have had no problem. Can't respond to the halyard question but would be inclined to go with manufacturers recommendation.
I switched to the 5/16 for the furler on my 35.5 after the 7/16 broke and have had no problem. Can't respond to the halyard question but would be inclined to go with manufacturers recommendation.
furler line change
What made you decide to change from 7/16 to 5/16 on the furler line? Is it harder on the hands?
What made you decide to change from 7/16 to 5/16 on the furler line? Is it harder on the hands?
furler line change
What made you decide to change from 7/16 to 5/16 on the furler line? Is it harder on the hands?
What made you decide to change from 7/16 to 5/16 on the furler line? Is it harder on the hands?
Smaller Lines
I'm of the same mindset at Hugh and Honeyman to some degree. My feeling is that the technology and materials used in lines is better now than it was when the boat was built and originally rigged. There are numerous places that friction can really be a bear, and you've pegged two of them. I've gone to the Samson, New England Ropes, etc websites to check what their lines will hold, and then replaced with the smallest that is comfortable on the hands, will still work in cleats and clutches, and will carry the load with a margin for safety. Generally, this will be something smaller than the original recommendations. The next lines to replace for me are my reefing lines and those will likely be high tech and small, as he friction loads there are a pain. T J
I'm of the same mindset at Hugh and Honeyman to some degree. My feeling is that the technology and materials used in lines is better now than it was when the boat was built and originally rigged. There are numerous places that friction can really be a bear, and you've pegged two of them. I've gone to the Samson, New England Ropes, etc websites to check what their lines will hold, and then replaced with the smallest that is comfortable on the hands, will still work in cleats and clutches, and will carry the load with a margin for safety. Generally, this will be something smaller than the original recommendations. The next lines to replace for me are my reefing lines and those will likely be high tech and small, as he friction loads there are a pain. T J
Smaller Lines
I'm of the same mindset at Hugh and Honeyman to some degree. My feeling is that the technology and materials used in lines is better now than it was when the boat was built and originally rigged. There are numerous places that friction can really be a bear, and you've pegged two of them. I've gone to the Samson, New England Ropes, etc websites to check what their lines will hold, and then replaced with the smallest that is comfortable on the hands, will still work in cleats and clutches, and will carry the load with a margin for safety. Generally, this will be something smaller than the original recommendations. The next lines to replace for me are my reefing lines and those will likely be high tech and small, as he friction loads there are a pain. T J
I'm of the same mindset at Hugh and Honeyman to some degree. My feeling is that the technology and materials used in lines is better now than it was when the boat was built and originally rigged. There are numerous places that friction can really be a bear, and you've pegged two of them. I've gone to the Samson, New England Ropes, etc websites to check what their lines will hold, and then replaced with the smallest that is comfortable on the hands, will still work in cleats and clutches, and will carry the load with a margin for safety. Generally, this will be something smaller than the original recommendations. The next lines to replace for me are my reefing lines and those will likely be high tech and small, as he friction loads there are a pain. T J
Line size
There is a lot more involved than just line diameter. As TJ, Honeyman and Hugh have said friction is a problem and smaller line diameters can help mitigate this. Double braid dacron has its place but a halyard is just not one of them. The stretch characteristics of double braid dacron is just too high to be a good halyard. High tech line has many positive features not the least of which are far less stretch(the most important) and lower turning friction. Downsizing to high tech line means saving weight aloft and money with dramatically better sail shape Hunter specs were written at least 10 years ago and line technology has grown light years since then. I've been using 3/8" Spectra on my main and genoa halyards on my 35.5 for years. My spinnaker halyards are 1/4" Spectra. In a typical situation where another boat with double braid dacron would have to re-tension the main halyard due to luff sag as the wind strength increased, Spectra line holds its elongation to a far smaller percent maintain proper sail shape with reduced heeling and weather helm.
There is a lot more involved than just line diameter. As TJ, Honeyman and Hugh have said friction is a problem and smaller line diameters can help mitigate this. Double braid dacron has its place but a halyard is just not one of them. The stretch characteristics of double braid dacron is just too high to be a good halyard. High tech line has many positive features not the least of which are far less stretch(the most important) and lower turning friction. Downsizing to high tech line means saving weight aloft and money with dramatically better sail shape Hunter specs were written at least 10 years ago and line technology has grown light years since then. I've been using 3/8" Spectra on my main and genoa halyards on my 35.5 for years. My spinnaker halyards are 1/4" Spectra. In a typical situation where another boat with double braid dacron would have to re-tension the main halyard due to luff sag as the wind strength increased, Spectra line holds its elongation to a far smaller percent maintain proper sail shape with reduced heeling and weather helm.
Line size
There is a lot more involved than just line diameter. As TJ, Honeyman and Hugh have said friction is a problem and smaller line diameters can help mitigate this. Double braid dacron has its place but a halyard is just not one of them. The stretch characteristics of double braid dacron is just too high to be a good halyard. High tech line has many positive features not the least of which are far less stretch(the most important) and lower turning friction. Downsizing to high tech line means saving weight aloft and money with dramatically better sail shape Hunter specs were written at least 10 years ago and line technology has grown light years since then. I've been using 3/8" Spectra on my main and genoa halyards on my 35.5 for years. My spinnaker halyards are 1/4" Spectra. In a typical situation where another boat with double braid dacron would have to re-tension the main halyard due to luff sag as the wind strength increased, Spectra line holds its elongation to a far smaller percent maintain proper sail shape with reduced heeling and weather helm.
There is a lot more involved than just line diameter. As TJ, Honeyman and Hugh have said friction is a problem and smaller line diameters can help mitigate this. Double braid dacron has its place but a halyard is just not one of them. The stretch characteristics of double braid dacron is just too high to be a good halyard. High tech line has many positive features not the least of which are far less stretch(the most important) and lower turning friction. Downsizing to high tech line means saving weight aloft and money with dramatically better sail shape Hunter specs were written at least 10 years ago and line technology has grown light years since then. I've been using 3/8" Spectra on my main and genoa halyards on my 35.5 for years. My spinnaker halyards are 1/4" Spectra. In a typical situation where another boat with double braid dacron would have to re-tension the main halyard due to luff sag as the wind strength increased, Spectra line holds its elongation to a far smaller percent maintain proper sail shape with reduced heeling and weather helm.
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