H25 Line size
Wire-to-rope is no longer necessary, now that we have improvements in textile cordage over the last 40 years. I would recommend Sampson XLS or its equivalent (a little cheaper than NE Ropes). I am using 7/16 for all my major running rigging and 5/16 for the reef, downhaul, outhaul, and pole-control lines. Also-- for double-sheave mastheads, even if you use the second main halyard just as a topping lift, there is NO logical reason to make the secondary a smaller-sized line than the primary. Under the conditions in which you'll need to use the secondary as a back-up, you'll want it to be as strong or stronger than the one that just failed! One issue in the diameter of line is the comfort of holding it. There was at one time a range of large-size low-strength lines just because of this-- I am sure it was phased out because you couldn't guess its strength for applications based on its size. But truly anything under 3/8 is a pain to hold onto. Make the mainsheet, even on a dinghy, 3/8 or 7/16. You'll be glad you did. JC 2
