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New lines questions...

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alligood
Deckhand

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USA
16 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/16/2006 : 20:52:19

Hello,

Former Catalina 25 owner here who has valued the opinions on this forum for years. Still visit for great advice, answers to my often dumb questions, etc.

Speaking of which, here's a couple of dumb ones...Need to replace all running rigging on my Freedom 32. I'm primarily a day sailor, little to no racing, just sailing with my wife and three small boys...

1) How to decide on sheets and halyards? colors, brand, etc.? I'm not opposed to spending a little extra for extra quality, because I do plan to race in the next few years as my "crew" gets older, and certainly want quality lines that will last years.

2) What's the best source for purchase?

Thanks as always for the insights!

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2006 : 21:16:40

Colors are entirely up to you. So is brand - however some brand names make specific types of line that aren't available from others. It sounds like you want to spend the money to do things right. That means a balance between durability and function. You can increase the former through good care.

Fulfilling the specific function becomes a matter of preference.

In general, any line will do any task, you obviously want to account for the proper load with the type of line you are buying, but beyond that, if it fits the blocks and is long enough it will fulfill the job.

That is in general terms though. When you get into racing and some long distance cruising where 10ths of a knot can make a difference between first and second and a day's journey as opposed to 30 hours your selection begins to make a difference.

General information at Sampson, New England, Maffioli and other line companies will give you the basics. I beleive www.mauriprosailing.com has a load calculator or table to help you with the proper diameter. After that you will want to look at each line and determine 5 things.... Comfort, size and length, weight, stretch and color.

I like to use some of the information at Layline.com to research lines. Jib sheets need to be able to handle the load of the jib, you want low stretch for your halyards and possibly depending on your level of racing tapered halyards or halyards with the core removed to reduce weight aloft.

Color in general - jib sheets usually match, spin sheets do not (although it is no big sin if they do) you want a different color for each halyard. Other common lines depending on rig (twing/tweakers, check stays, running backstays, line on the traveler, the adjustable backstay, topping lift, down haul, cunningham, boom vang, etc) can be any color and is usually a best deal at the time...

After you determine what you want, go to Layline and check their specials and also go to ebay and see what is available.

dw