Jib and Main Sheets

[awoody]

I acquired my 1994 Hunter 26 in 2009.
Before spring I am planning to change out my main and jib sheets.
I noticed that the owners manual indicates 3/8 yacht braid for the jib and main sheets. Mine have been changed out for 5/8 inch (jib) and 1/2 inch (main) by a previous owner. I wonder if there is some advantage to having the larger sheets?

Also I see that there are two readily available brands, New England Ropes, and Samson Ropes. Is there any experience indicating that one of these is better than the other?

 

[steve stark]

Hi, Al...
This is Steve, the immediate PO. The main sheet on your boat was installed prior to us. The jib sheets, however, I installed in 2006. I chose yacht braid from NE ropes, 2 sizes over recommended because it had nice "hand" since I tried to trim without winch handles whenever possible. The only downside I ever noticed was that the 5/8" line did not load or run very free through the deck fairleads, but I considered this worth the nice feel to the line. It is also advantageous to have nice "hand" to the mainsheet since it is always trimmed without a winch. I think 3/8 line would be tough to grab in moderate wind, but it should be your personal preference.

Is Howard Prairie full this year? Fair winds.

 

[awoody]

Steve, thanks for responding. You are right they do have nice "hand", and they don't tangle and I don't like using the winch handle either. I might leave well enough alone. Part of the joy of owning a sailboat is buying things for it.

I have not yet been up to Howard Prairie this winter. I have intended to drive up to see what it is like with snow. My guess is that it will be full. My target date for launching is May 15.

 

[Warren Milberg]

While "hand" may be something of a plus, the entra weight of your sheets plus the possible problems running through jib fairleads and the main sheave at the masthead would seem to suggest much smaller sheets. If your boat has self-tailing headsail winchs and a main halyard winch, what is the downside to using them? They certainly make life, and sail trimming much easier on my H28.5 which uses 3/8" for the main halyard and 7/16" for the genoa.

 

[Andy1237]

New or Used? I may have posted too soon. I am also considering new jib sheets and wondering what to do with the old. I just posted a topic about what to do with the the old sheets thinking they would be oversized and too short for another boat. Interestingly enough, I think if I cut my 7/16 lines just forward of the worn part, it may fit your 26'.

 

[CraigV]

I put two new halyards up a few years ago on my H22 and had some problems because they ended up being too big. One fit but not easily, the other wouldn't go through at all. I ended up having to buy a new line to replace one of them. At least I got a really nice spare line out of it! My recommendation is to bring a piece of the old one with you whenever you do decide to replace so you can avoid my goof. Good luck!

 

[Alan]

Many skippers make the mistake of increasing the line sizes without realizing the consequence. Not only will a larger line have trouble running through its sheaves it also increases the the friction in the system which necessitates the need for additional force to accomplish the same job of a smaller line with less force. Most notably this can be seen in halyards where some skippers have a difficult time raising and lowering sails due to increased working friction from over-sized halyards. You may want to consider an additional cover at the tail end of your sheets (the end you handle) and leave the working end at the smaller size. On many racing boats halyards are "stripped" of their cover at the mast end with the cover remaining in place at the winch end. The best of both worlds.