New Running Rigging Coming Soon

[Maine Sail]

I just returned from Yale Cordage from picking up my freshly spliced halyards (WOW is all I can say). While I was there I had a long conversation with them about distribution, New England Ropes and general competition and state of the marine market.

Skip shared with me, and gave me a short sample of, the new Yale Yacht Braid that won't even be on the street until March or April. Yacht Braid has been Yale's answer to New England Ropes Sta-Set (not Sta-Set X) for many years.

To make a long story short this new Yacht Braid is very NICE!!!! What they have done with it, for the price, is simply amazing. First they lengthened the angle of the core braid to reduce stretch. The new Yacht Braid will actually have less stretch than Sta-Set X yet will still have a braided core for a good hand and easy flaking unlike Sta-Set X but it will be priced at a Sta-Set not Sta-Set X level.:dance:

The lines jacket has gone from a 16 bobbin weave, on the old Yacht Braid, which is identical to Sta-Set, to a 24 bobbin weave with two cores per bobbin. This gives the jacket the thickness needed for abrasion resistance and also better grip for clutches and winches. The hand & feel of this line is incredible.

If you are thinking about ordering new cruising sheets or halyards or other basic running rigging you might hold off and wait for the newYacht Braid hits the street. If it's priced with Sta-Set it is a no brainer which to buy.

Dealers should have it in stock hopefully by March or April and perhaps Phil will look into it. With less stretch than Sta-Set X dealers could essentially consolidate from stocking Sta-Set and Sta-Set X to just stocking Yacht Braid..

The New Yale Yacht Braid (not officially on the street yet):

It's not very common to see a halyard splice this smooth:

 

[ITMaster]

Wow Maine, you're right, that is about the smoothest splice I've ever seen. Very clean and sanitary and I bet it is lasting.

And you say they will be able to sell it for the same cost as the Sta-Set? That's hard to believe that something better can hit the market and not cost more (yet) .

 

[Maine Sail]

And you say they will be able to sell it for the same cost as the Sta-Set? That's hard to believe that something better can hit the market and not cost more (yet) .

We'll see what happens but Yale is sick of letting NER kick their butts. The family that owned NER had a familial relation ship to the founder of WM. That is why NER is so big now and why WM was so heavy into NER line but NER was recently sold so who knows what could happen.

I know of at least one vendor who is switching back to more Yale than NER...

BTW this line has a better hand and is as pliable and flexible as Sta-Set or the old Yacht Braid. It really is a great line but the street pricing will tell the rest of the story. I hope they get it right..

 

[bffatcat]

Rope

Im sure you guys know by now that its my nature to play the devils advocate. I dont know about this new product from yale. If what Maine Sail says proves to be correct I will try it.

Ive used NE stayset & stayset X for years successfully. About 3 years ago I needed a new main sheet. I went to a nearbyl marine supply, an independent store. The owner told me
they did not carry NE rope They carried Yale. Since I was already at the store I decided to try it. It was a mistake. The rope was very soft and the weave was loose and frequently snagged. I would not buy this particular product again. It was about the same price as NE I can see why NE was feeding yale their lunch. I want to see this new Yale yacht braid for myself before I become a believer

 

[Maine Sail]

Im sure you guys know by now that its my nature to play the devils advocate. I dont know about this new product from yale. If what Maine Sail says proves to be correct I will try it.

Ive used NE stayset & stayset X for years successfully. About 3 years ago I needed a new main sheet. I went to a nearbyl marine supply, an independent store. The owner told me
they did not carry NE rope They carried Yale. Since I was already at the store I decided to try it. It was a mistake. The rope was very soft and the weave was loose and frequently snagged. I would not buy this particular product again. It was about the same price as NE I can see why NE was feeding yale their lunch. I want to see this new Yale yacht braid for myself before I become a believer

My guess is that you got Yale Portland Braid not Yale Yacht Braid. I have both Sta-Set and yacht Braid on my boat and if you asked me to tell you which one is Sta-Set and which one was Yacht Braid I honestly could not tell the difference between them. Both Sta-Set and the old Yacht Braid were 16 bobbin jackets and were virtually identical in materials and construction. Portland Braid is a notch down in quality, braid and price from Yacht Braid...