Running rigging: Mainsail sheet length

[reserche]

Hi guys!

Well, now I'm thinking of replacing the mainsail sheet this week for my 84 Hunter 31... Does anyone offhand know the length on that sheet? I'd like to leave the one on there so I can see it right before re-rigging... Any particular line you're happy with?

Thanks!

 

[Henry Scurlock]

Hi Julie, check the chanderly here at SailboatOwners.com, they should have pre-measured rigging for your boat. Prices are competitive and you'll be supporting the owners of this forum.

http://shop.hunterowners.com/category.htm?fno=0&cat=1601

 

[Tom H31]

While you're at it...

...think about replacing the blocks for the mainsheet running rigging. We did this a couple years ago on our 1986 H31, and used Garhauer blocks. What a difference in performance and appearance! And Garhauer is top of the line hardware at 2/3 the cost of the big guys.

 

[jcherubini]

Mainsheet length

Julie, the easiest way is to multiply the functional boom length by the purchase coefficient.

The functional boom length is from the gooseneck (fulcrum) to the attachment point for the mainsheet tackle. On my boat it's about 8-1/2 ft.

The purchase is the number of active parts of the mainsheet tackle. A fixed double or fiddle block on top and one on the traveler nets 4:1 purchase.

Then add how much tail you want in the cockpit when it's ALL the way out. Remember you need a stopper knot and enough rope to grab before it.

This is not TRUE math because you'd need trigonometry to determine the hypotenuse of the triangle formed by the boom and its tackle when sailing completely downwind; and I suck at trig. I do know that the 45-degree hypotenuse of a right isosceles triangle formed by the mainsheet tackle extending to the boom when downwind yields a sine (or is it cosine?) of 1.41414... So I just add another half again and consider it good. Besides you would allow for the fiddle blocks and the boom bail and the fact that it's never ALL the way out.

My mainsheet on my H25 is 44 or 46 ft. Good enough.

 

[jcherubini]

Mainsheet cordage

Julie, in my preaching (ranting) I tend to favor Sampson XLS Yacht Braid as the time-honored gold standard for yacht running rigging. And I work at West Marine and am an outspoken critic of New England Ropes. Sampson XLS costs about the same and has a nicer feel and is easier to work with. Sta-Set XS has a nasty habit of kinking in the pile under your feet and in an urgent jibe this kinking tendency is enough to jam on its way out through the cleat and lead to catastrophe (yes it's happened to me). I swear foully at it and remark, 'This rope could kill people. (Yes, I call it 'rope'. Line on boats hates when you call it that.)

But as I work at a West Marine store that is closing, I will take the best deal I can get. Little Diana has just got a new suit of halyards of Yale UULS, an excellent line that used to be carried by Boat US and is now discontinued from WM. So I got it VERY cheap. The mainsheet and main halyard are both Yale Vizzion, an ugly black-and-gold line with .9% stretch at 3200 lbs' load. You don't beat that with anything even close to its usual list price... and I paid like 6 cents a foot for it.

Whatever you use, you should always use the lowest-stretch stuff you can get for main halyard and mainsheet (jib halyard too if you don't have a furler). Anything else can be adjusted frequently under sail.

(I think I bought ALL the remaining Yale UULS and Vizzion in West Marine's remaining stock... so don't ask me if I can get you any on my discount!)

JC2

 

[reserche]

Hey - thanks guys!! Way too much information- I love it! Thanks for the tips on the line.. I looked at the Sampson XLS (I think that's what the chandelrey here sells...
I replaced the line on the traveler.. want to do this main sheet next so everything looks fresh- then I'll think about the halyards! Nothing's furling at this point.. so I'll take into account your "stretch" recommendations... Its been beautiful weather.. I'm looking forward to a sail!