Re-rigging running rigging - source suggestions please

dLj

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Mar 23, 2017
4,306
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
I'm replacing all my running rigging and looking for suggestions of where to buy both halyards and sheets.

I rather like New England Ropes (although it seems their website is down right now). Any other suggestions of sources? Anybody know if there are good sources in the Annapolis area? Bacons has some, but fairly limited in size and colors, I may go there first and then see what I have to get elsewhere.

Does anyone know if there are any sales on at the moment? I've looked at the Defender sale, not quite as good as I'd have liked.

Also any inputs into what types of lines folks prefer for the halyards and the sheets? (This could start an interesting discussion, perhaps.)

dj
 

BobH57

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Oct 23, 2019
91
Hunter 410 Solomons, MD
Bacon is having their Spring Sale on April 29th from 9-2. According to their ad in SpinSheet they'll be discounting New England Ropes.
 

dLj

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Mar 23, 2017
4,306
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
Bacon is having their Spring Sale on April 29th from 9-2. According to their ad in SpinSheet they'll be discounting New England Ropes.
Thanks for the heads up! I'll be there for sure! I was in Bacons a few weeks ago and they sadly don't have a large selection of sizes and colors. But hey, I'll definitely take what I can get...

dj

p.s. It's really too bad APS went under...
 
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Likes: Ward H
Jan 11, 2014
12,804
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
For sources try the SBO store. They sell a lot of running rigging. If what you are looking for is out of stock contact @Dave Groshong.

I have been using NE Ropes VPC for halyards. It has a high tech core and polyester cover. The cover is a bit slippery and going down a size on the main halyard didn't work because the line was at the lower end of the clutches range and would slip. Moved up a size and it works well, nice hand and limited stretch.

For sheets I use old tech lines, stretch is not a big issue as the sheets are frequently and easily adjusted. I like Samson Trophy Braid (aka fuzzy braid) for jib sheets. It has a nice hand and grips the winch. The traveller and mainsheet get a stretchy line like NER Regatta braid. On the traveller the stretch is minimal and the in the case of jibe the line can absorb some of the shock. Same for the mainsail, again since it is easy to trim the main and it is done frequently a little stretch is not critical and the shock absorption helps in jibes.
 
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Likes: Ward H
Jan 7, 2011
5,489
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
I have purchased from Cajun Ropes in the past.


And from here at SBO.


Greg
 
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dLj

.
Mar 23, 2017
4,306
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
For sources try the SBO store. They sell a lot of running rigging. If what you are looking for is out of stock contact @Dave Groshong.
I'll check them out. Do I get discounts for large orders? ;)

I have been using NE Ropes VPC for halyards. It has a high tech core and polyester cover. The cover is a bit slippery and going down a size on the main halyard didn't work because the line was at the lower end of the clutches range and would slip. Moved up a size and it works well, nice hand and limited stretch.
I very much like the VPC lines for halyards! I'm replacing with the same diameter lines as I currently have to not worry about diameter compatibility. I'm not worried about weight...

For sheets I use old tech lines, stretch is not a big issue as the sheets are frequently and easily adjusted. I like Samson Trophy Braid (aka fuzzy braid) for jib sheets. It has a nice hand and grips the winch. The traveller and mainsheet get a stretchy line like NER Regatta braid. On the traveller the stretch is minimal and the in the case of jibe the line can absorb some of the shock. Same for the mainsail, again since it is easy to trim the main and it is done frequently a little stretch is not critical and the shock absorption helps in jibes.
I've always wondered about the fuzzy braid! I've seen them talked about but have never had one in my hands. How's the price compared to polyester double braid?

You and I are clearly not going to have any arguments on what kind of lines to use where... LOL

dj
 
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dLj

.
Mar 23, 2017
4,306
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
I have purchased from Cajun Ropes in the past.


And from here at SBO.


Greg
I've never used Cajun ropes - definitely will look at them. I used to use APS.... but...

dj
 
Jan 12, 2019
109
Hunter 340 Narragansett
Have you looked at Hamilton Marine? I agree with you, Defender pricing is not as competitive as it was. I just purchased my Hydrocoat Bottom Paint from Hamilton and they were $20 less and, if you can believe it, 50 cents shipping and had it in 2 days.
Worth a look.
 
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dLj

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Mar 23, 2017
4,306
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
Me too. Then APS went the "Life Style" route instead of performance sailing (The P and S of APS) and soon went out of business.
Don't get me started... We all need fancy looking clothes to sail well... right???? good lord...

dj
 
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dLj

.
Mar 23, 2017
4,306
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
Have you looked at Hamilton Marine? I agree with you, Defender pricing is not as competitive as it was. I just purchased my Hydrocoat Bottom Paint from Hamilton and they were $20 less and, if you can believe it, 50 cents shipping and had it in 2 days.
Worth a look.
I have looked in the past there, but rarely used them. I'll take a look. Thank you, they'd dropped off my radar...

dj
 
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PaulK

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Dec 1, 2009
1,364
Sabre 402 Southport, CT
Hamilton has some good deals in their sale bin, but Defender's price for 12mm Endurabraid was substantially lower.
 

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,175
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
I like Samson, Marlow and Yale. Not a NER fan. I like solid color line, and they charge more for solid than fleck...???? The fuzzy stuff is great for cruising sheets, I really like it..

Vela Sailing Supply sells 3/8" Samson Trophy Braid for $1.18/ft. solid or flecked.
 
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Likes: jssailem

dLj

.
Mar 23, 2017
4,306
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
I like Samson, Marlow and Yale. Not a NER fan. I like solid color line, and they charge more for solid than fleck...???? The fuzzy stuff is great for cruising sheets, I really like it..

Vela Sailing Supply sells 3/8" Samson Trophy Braid for $1.18/ft. solid or flecked.
Sadly Vela has no line in the size I need in stock...

dj