New Runnung Rigging .......................

OldCat · Jun 19, 2011

Ralph Johnstone said:
I am in the process of replacing all of the running rigging on my 1999 H310. At the very least, all of the lines will be replaced with polyester. But the problem is, which type ? I have seen 1/2" polyester range all the way from $0.92 for Samson LS Yacht Braid here on the Chandlry to Waste Marine's 1/2" Super Duper, Lemon Scented, Glow in the Dark, miracle fiber at more than $2.00/ft. :Liar:

Has anyone come across any reliable, downloadable literature that gives an unbiased opinion on lines and maybe even a reference to different brands ? Right now, what I'm looking at is like comparing apples to oranges to cumquats. :cussing:

Thanks in advance for your ideas.

Are you racing? Are you willing to spend big bux for low stretch lines to minimize trim changes when racing?

For cruising the LS or LST will work just fine, I tend to buy LST for the more critical or highly loaded lines. It would be helpful to find a line size selection chart for your boat.

OC

Stu Jackson · Jun 19, 2011

While some have expressed happiness with NER Stay-Set X, IIRC the "consensus" has been that it "hands" horribly. This is NER's next step up from Stay Set. I used Stay Set for my halyards and will never do it again, 'cuz it stretches too much.

Most Sampson material gets good "hand" reviews. I will get that for my halyards next time around.

I find Stay Set is fine for jib and main sheets and other running rigging, and it's available pretty much in the color of your choice.

YOU have to do your own "homework" by looking at the individual manufacturer's literature on stretch and cost. I know of no one report that does what you're asking for. You could also try a search on this 'board under "running rigging" exact phrase and see what comes up.

The WM catalog used to have a good "stretch" page in their running rigging section, don't know if it's still there. That'd be a good starting point for % stretch to start comparing.

KandD · Jun 19, 2011

If your not hard-core, I'm using old repelling lines for my genoa right now. I think I paid .75/ft from REI. Don't use climbing, it's designed to stretch, but repelling lines are no-stretch.

EDIT: 40' boat with a 130

hutch5151 · Jun 19, 2011

Recommend you go to the New England Ropes and Sampson ropes web sites. Both have excellent recommendations for each type of sailor, (ie: Recreational Cruiser, Club Racer, Grand Prix racer). Both companies offer great substitutes for the Sta-SetX. NE offers VPX, which has a great hand (feel) and offers low strech and a budget price. Sampson has XLS Extra which also has low strech and a good price. Both are great for halyards and sheets where high loads are a problem. For more basic running rigging either Sta-Set or LST will be fine.

Joe · Jun 19, 2011

hutch5151 said:
Recommend you go to the New England Ropes and Sampson ropes web sites. Both have excellent recommendations for each type of sailor, (ie: Recreational Cruiser, Club Racer, Grand Prix racer). Both companies offer great substitutes for the Sta-SetX. NE offers VPX, which has a great hand (feel) and offers low strech and a budget price. Sampson has XLS Extra which also has low strech and a good price. Both are great for halyards and sheets where high loads are a problem. For more basic running rigging either Sta-Set or LST will be fine.

I agree with Hutch, although I prefer Samson and Yale over New England.... I can't see the need for 1/2 inch anything on a 31 foor boat.. 7/16 max with dacron double braid.

Here's a cool site that will give you additional information and explain performance features of various line www.apsltd.com

You might consider a smaller diameter Hi tech product to replace halyards instead of the sta set type stuff. The smaller line will run through the blocks a lot better and may offset the extra cost. You can build a tapered halyard... 1/4 inch amsteel or vectrus core single braid with a 3/8 inch dacron cover for about the same price as a 7/16 Sta Set.

higgs · Jun 19, 2011

Mainsail recommended Cajun ropes to me and I have been very pleased with them. Unless you are racing, your needs are not complicated. Don't mistake the the new high tech braids as something you need to have.

cal24 · Jun 19, 2011

It probably doesn't qualify as unbiased, but mauri has a free line selection guide that might point you in the right direction (regardless of where you purchase). http://www.mauriprosailing.com/lines-by-application.htm

(I have no affiliation w them.)

Steve Dion · Jun 19, 2011

I would suggest that you purchase your line from this website. They have some of the best prices on quality line. They also have the measurements for most of the stuff that you will need.

If you need some help you can give them a call for advice too.

I would also agree with Stu and stay away from Sta-set X. It is very difficult to work with and is not very easy on the hands.

thinwater · Jun 20, 2011

I'm guessing most small/medium cruisers wouldn't notice the difference between polyester and any of the new materials if the covers were switched (assuming the line was sized conservativly). Why do I say this?
a. I've used Wire, Kevlar, and Stay-Set X for halyards on the same boat; except for having to give the winch another fraction of a turn, there was little difference (except Stay-Set X is hard to handle with little stretch improvement).
b. I have Kevlar/Spectra sheets on my new boat; didn't notice it until I went to fix a whipping. It also has polyester sheets, and there is no noticable difference in feel or stretch.

No point on a 31-foot cruising boat. Go big or race hard and the math changes. The thing is that most line sizes on a 31-foot cruising boat are selected for hand, not stretch or strength. As size goes up, that changes. On race boats (my last boat) folks down size lines to save weight (and fight stretch for other reasons).

Bad Obsession · Jun 20, 2011

Why not try cajun ropes. I bought my halyards from them and I am really happy with them.

Jumpstart · Jun 20, 2011

I have a similar sized boat. Stretch does make a difference unless you like to adjust your main halyard when the wind picks up. As someone stated earlier, downsizing with a medium tech composite lines makes sense since the halyards run better in the sheaves and they have less stretch at prices near polyester double braid. I've replaced the halyards and sheets on my boat in the past 2 years and heave researched this to death. Jib/Spinnaker halyards- 5/16" New England VPC or 8mm Novabraid Syntec (R&W rope warehouse). Main halyard 3/8" or 10MM VPC or Syntec. Jib Sheets- 7/16" Sta Set X or Novabraid XLE. the 8mm lines should be less than $1.00/foot. 7/16" XLE is $.75/foot. If you really want to go hi tech you might try 8mm Yale Maxibraid which has a Dyneema core at $1.32/foot at 2 online suppliers.

Here are the breaking strengths. 8mm Syntec-5200lb, 8mm VPC - 4000lb, 8mm Maxibraid-7500lb, 7/16" XLE - 6200lb. Look up the stretch as a percentage of breaking load. Calculate your load and you can get an idea how much stretch you will encounter. On a boat with a 40 foot P, the main halyard could stretch as much 3-4% for double braid polyester.

Good luck. One caveat is to make sure sheet stoppers are sized to accommodate the lines you choose.