Noob. Do you use the mainsail halyard as the main sheet?

[Chuck_FLA]

My halyard is SO long. Do you use it to act as the mainsheet also? The way I rigged the mainsheet with a separate line makes no sense to me.

 

[dlochner]

No. Separate lines, separate purposes.

 

[Will Gilmore]

Pictures will help explain your meaning.

Welcome to sailing. As complex an endeavor one can undertake to get back to the simple life.

-Will

 

[BobSail]

Our trailerable H260 has some similarities with a MacGregor I believe. Our headsail halyard and main sheet are both longer than needed to facilitate mast raising. Is it possible there is a similar use for your boat?

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Why buy two lines when one will work for both?

 

[dlochner]

Why buy two lines when one will work for both?

Since line is priced by the foot not the piece you will still need the same number of feet for both lines, there is no price advantage.

 

[shemandr]

No. Separate lines, separate purposes.

Consider stretch characteristics. For a halyard you want as little stretch as possible. For a mainsheet a little stretch reduces shock load on the hardware.

 

[SteveHughessails]

I too thought of the more rigid line for the sheet. My question is safety related: can you safely (quickly) drop your main sail without having to undo your “sheet”? I’m guessing it would be arduous to undo it all then drop your sail in a blow.
I would have 2 lines. Maybe even by cutting down an unnecessary long halyard.

 

[Chuck_FLA]

Our trailerable H260 has some similarities with a MacGregor I believe. Our headsail halyard and main sheet are both longer than needed to facilitate mast raising. Is it possible there is a similar use for your boat?

This may be the case, although I've rigged something that uses the forestay instead and it works well. I think I'm going to go by West Marine and buy some more appropriately sized lines!

 

[Chuck_FLA]

I too thought of the more rigid line for the sheet. My question is safety related: can you safely (quickly) drop your main sail without having to undo your “sheet”? I’m guessing it would be arduous to undo it all then drop your sail in a blow.
I would have 2 lines. Maybe even by cutting down an unnecessary long halyard.

Good point. Probably not. I think separate is better.

 

[SteveHughessails]

Great choice.

 

[dlochner]

I too thought of the more rigid line for the sheet. My question is safety related: can you safely (quickly) drop
your main sail without having to undo your “sheet”? I’m guessing it would be arduous to undo it all then drop your sail in a blow.
I would have 2 lines. Maybe even by cutting down an unnecessary long halyard.

Just a point in sailor speak, lines are characterized as soft or stiff when talking about flexibility and hand, how the line feels in the hand. Sta-Set X is an example of a stiff line, it does not run through blocks easily because it doesn't bend well, it is hard on the hand. Regatta braid is an example, it is soft and fuzzy, very easy on the hand and runs through blocks well.

Line is also characterized by stretch, generally high stretch or low stretch, with low stretch being preferred for halyards.

These characteristics are on a scale and not absolute values, although for stretch rope makers do specify a value.

 

[SteveHughessails]

Thanks Dave
I appreciate that. Everyday I learn something new. I’m also young, I have no excuse to not remember.