halyards for small cruising yacht

[Chiara’s slave]

There is no question that both our Genoa and the working jib set better with the Dyneema halyard. I replaced a wire halyard with a rope tail with Dyneema when the wire broke at the block, and the difference in sail set and pointing ability is noticeable. The double braided main halyard is due to be renewed, so I'm saving up for Dyneema for that one too. I expect a non-stretch halyard will help to flatten the main luff when the wind gets up.

It has the potential for a bigger difference on your main. Wire halyards don’t stretch much, until they unrsvel of course, but they’re also much closer to dyneema cost wise, and for most of us, not DIY friendly to splice. Thst’s the other beauty of dyneema, the ability to splice a loop easily. Well, it is if you don’t mind a ‘cover off’ loop. The braid cover is a bastard like any other.