Is it worth using Dyneema for running rigging on a crusing boat?

Guess your existing is 10mm - wouldn't you come down to 8mm for Dyneema?
Can't see the point for the backstay adjuster (unless you mean a long bridle), for halyards I think it depends how many squids are burning a hole in your pocket!
 
Spend your money on getting some decent sails not on rope that gives you no benefits. As the description implies Dyneema can be useful on racing boats. Complete waste on a cruising boat - particularly with your well used sails!
 
Fed up with constantly having to adjust your knicker elastic polyester halyards? Or not bother and sail with sacks. It's a no-brainer buy the dyneeema. Dead easy to splice loops for cow hitching your shackles. Google "Mobius brummel splice".
 
I think there are minor benefits for the applications you've detailed. 10mm is heavier than you need on a 26ft boat, but if the price is right and the pulleys, turning blocks, etc suit, then use it. It's true that many cruising boats use much heavier sheets than necessary to make them comfortable to handle, but halyards that stay tensioned are a boon and usually winched, not hauled in by hand.

Rob.
 
What you will have to be careful of is whether your rope clutches will take the strain. I find that Dyneema halyards creep through the clutches and have to be adjusted frequently. This in spite of rebuilding the clutches and putting extra clutches in series.
This will be more prevalent if you move down a size in rope. 10mm Dyneema is far too thick for a 26ft boat.
Another thing to worry about is will you put too much strain on the boat or sails?
Nothing is ever as simple as it seems.
 
seanfoster said:
Hi All,
I'm replacing all of my running rigging on my 26ft yacht, I've been looking at various options and found a reasonably cheap supplier of 10mm Dyneema: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/dansonmari...d=532537817&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1581&_pgn=2

Is it worth using Dyneema on a crusing boat? I was thinking of using it for my backstay adjuster, main and headsail halyards.
Any comments?
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There are benefits in having Dyneema for halyards (and my mainsheet). Firstly, it doesn't stretch as much as normal (even-prestretched) polyester, secondly you can go down at least one size which dramatically reduces frictional resistance. The outer case, I have found, is rather more resistant to abrasion than that on conventional rope, making it good for use in jammers.
As already mentioned it's probably not favourite for sheets because thinner ropes are more difficult to handle. I have gradually replaced all my halyards as they've worn out, starting with the #2 spinnaker halyard.
I doubt if it's worth changing for changes' sake or with a relatively short unstressed rope as the backstay adjuster. There is, in fact relatively little premium payable in replacing prestretch with one size smaller Dyneema/Spectra.
 
I had Dyneema halyards when all the running rigging was replaced a few years ago. It has certainly made a difference especially to the main which used to sag after an hour or two and was a pain to re-tension as it meant heading up into the wind. It's not so noticeable on the genoa due to the foil furler.
 
Tranona said:
Spend your money on getting some decent sails not on rope that gives you no benefits. As the description implies Dyneema can be useful on racing boats. Complete waste on a cruising boat - particularly with your well used sails![/QUOTE
Not so, been using dynema 10 mm for main halyard for 10 years. It doesn't stretch so once you have set the main it stays perfectly trimmed once wind picks up. This just would not work on my old braid on braid. I don't race.
I wouldn't go less than 10mm as less diameter is too hard on hands.
My dyneema main halyard is hard well worth the extra money
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Thanks for the replies everyone, The only reason I was thinking of using 10mm is becasue that's the current size for my halyards and backstay adjuster and therefore would be less likely to slip in my clutches than going for a smaller diameter. I think I might go for one for the main halyard and go for 'conventional' rope for the rest.
 
geem said:
Tranona said:
Spend your money on getting some decent sails not on rope that gives you no benefits. As the description implies Dyneema can be useful on racing boats. Complete waste on a cruising boat - particularly with your well used sails![/QUOTE
Not so, been using dynema 10 mm for main halyard for 10 years. It doesn't stretch so once you have set the main it stays perfectly trimmed once wind picks up. This just would not work on my old braid on braid. I don't race.
I wouldn't go less than 10mm as less diameter is too hard on hands.
My dyneema main halyard seems hard well worth the extra money
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You are probably not aware, but the OP is hard up and unwilling to spend any money on new sails nor a small amount to have old sails recut. Of course Dyneema has benefits, but a waste of money if you have got knackered sails. Priorities suggest spending money on the basics rather than refinements.
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seanfoster said:
Thanks for the replies everyone, The only reason I was thinking of using 10mm is becasue that's the current size for my halyards and backstay adjuster and therefore would be less likely to slip in my clutches than going for a smaller diameter. I think I might go for one for the main halyard and go for 'conventional' rope for the rest.
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That is sensible. Not much benefit elsewhere but well worth it for the main.
 
Tranona said:
geem said:
You are probably not aware, but the OP is hard up and unwilling to spend any money on new sails nor a small amount to have old sails recut. Of course Dyneema has benefits, but a waste of money if you have got knackered sails. Priorities suggest spending money on the basics rather than refinements.
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The OP was a general question about dyneema for halyards, how could we know know anything about his sails?
If you know the OP so well you could take this discussion in a PM?
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Tranona said:
geem said:
You are probably not aware, but the OP is hard up and unwilling to spend any money on new sails nor a small amount to have old sails recut. Of course Dyneema has benefits, but a waste of money if you have got knackered sails. Priorities suggest spending money on the basics rather than refinements.
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A good main halyard and a proper cunningham really help to get the best out of a tired main.
If cash is short, remember only the bit of halyard that's actually under load when sailing needs to be dyneema. You can even taper down to a smaller size, having a fatter bit of double brain in the clutch.
Dyneema spinnaker guys are particularly worthwhile, at least for those who won't buy vectran.
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All my halyards have been or are going to be changed with dyneema, as it doesn't stretch so everything is a little easier. Add in the fact that you are using smaller rope so it works even better.

I wouldn't change my sheets as they would be too thin with dyneema, therefore painful to handle.

I know a few people who use it instead of wire standing rigging as well, and swear by it!
 
Tranona said:
geem said:
You are probably not aware, but the OP is hard up and unwilling to spend any money on new sails nor a small amount to have old sails recut. Of course Dyneema has benefits, but a waste of money if you have got knackered sails. Priorities suggest spending money on the basics rather than refinements.
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Thanks for the reply, I've decided to go for a new head sail, the current main is still pretty good.
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I'd say dyneema may be a good idea, but there are things to consider.
Firstly it's not so strong really that may be got smaller size, it's more about wear and handling involved than breaking strength - it will wear same way as any, and naturally smaller size will not last so long as original so going down on diameter is perhaps option for a racer, but may mean more risk of failure. Size similar as existing (as would be used for other kind lines) seems right, that's what I'd use anyway.
Low stretch is the benefit here. If it is a benefit to be sought really - on cruiser at high seas sometime it's better to have more elasticity in the system, so less possibility of overloading and breaking something else - also something to think about, depending on a rig.
 
On boats where stretch in the halyard is a problem going from polyester dbl braid to dyneema make sense.
It's also a good alternative to wire halyards.

The add does not specify what kind of rope it is, the maker is gottifredimaffioli a well reputed brand.
Link to catalog: http://www.gottifredimaffioli.com/catalogo.pdf

The rope looks similar to globalTech 75

Comparing some alternatives.
GlobalTech 75 (Polyester cover/dyneema core) 10mm strength 4870 daN
GlobalTech 75 (Polyester cover/dyneema core) 8mm strength 3380 daN
T90 (Polyester cover/Polyester core) 10mm strength 2350 daN

So going down from 10mm dbl braid polyester to 8mm polyester/dyneema is no problem with regards to strength.
For wear I would not be concerned by going to 8mm, the big difference between dyneema with polyester cover and dbl braid polyester is that in dyneema it is only the core giving strength to the rope.
The cover is far more stretchy than the core so it will not start to take any substantial load before the core is overloaded.
The cover has two purposes increase diameter for hands&cluthes and protecting the core against chafe and sun.

So you can wear the cover down to nothing before chafe is becoming an issue.

It is however important to size the rope for handling, clutches and winches.
 
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