Jib sheets: which rope ?

[Pirx]

I'm about to renew the jib sheets for a 7meter yacht, and totally confused by all the different ropes, trade names, materials, covers etc.

Everything is heaved about by hand. We use small winches as snubbers but very rarely use the winch handles so feel and grip are important. We don't race, are not usually in a hurry, so low stretch doesn't feel very important - I could be wrong about that!

Any help, comments, would be welcome.

 

[Tranona]

10mm braid would be appropriate size and construction.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

Double Braid is kind to hands and the amount of stretch is fine for cruising boats.

 

[johnalison]

I have used various kinds and I currently prefer the shiny sort rather than the matt rope that is often supplied. I find the shiny stuff as easy to handle and it runs much better round winches and past the rigging, but in the end it's a personal choice.

 

[Ningaloo]

I agree that you probably want something shiny/slippery to minimise friction, although for standard sheets this is probably not significant.
I switched my 12mm braid for 10mm dyneema on a self tacking jib that had lots of friction from the two 90 degree turns at the deck and 180 degree turn up the mast, but this won't be an issue for you.
On a 7m boat 10mm braid will be more than sufficient. You could probably use 8mm but it might be less kind to your hands.

Not sure where you are located but Southern Ropes near Fareham are good and often have deals on eBay.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

10mm braid would be appropriate size and construction.

The main thing is that it is easy on your hands. Strength isn't an issue - rope too thin to be comfortable to handle is easily strong enough. 10mm I'd regard as a minimum for a sheet; 12 might be easier to handle, if the sheaves will take it.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

I'm about to renew the jib sheets for a 7meter yacht, and totally confused by all the different ropes, trade names, materials, covers etc.

Everything is heaved about by hand. We use small winches as snubbers but very rarely use the winch handles so feel and grip are important. We don't race, are not usually in a hurry, so low stretch doesn't feel very important - I could be wrong about that!

Any help, comments, would be welcome.

Everything you need to know: Link to Jimmy Green knowledge page

My old girl is 8.5 meters and I use 10mm Polyester Braid on Braid (double braid) . More than strong enough and just about easy on the hands. She came with 14mm jib sheets which were lovely on the hands but way way over spec and weighed a ton when wet.

I also have some 8mm Dyneema cored sheets for my spinnakers because they are lighter but they are less friendly on the hands.

 

[MADRIGAL]

10mm polyester double braid is kind to the hands and more than strong enough. In the world of dinghy racing, there is a trend toward low-stretch, thinner lines that cause less friction through the blocks. We cruising types are happier with something that fits comfortably in the hands. If it stretches under load, we just haul it in a bit more.

 

[thinwater]

I like thinner, smoother lines and high-grip gloves. High grip lines are high friction lines and can run more slowly. But jib sheets are typically only through one block and to the winch, so friction is a minor thing.

As for stretch, on a 7-meter boat that is not in a hurry polyester double braid is fine. How many feet are there from clew to winch, anyway? On my 24-foot tri, perhaps 3 feet at most. A few percent stretch at the working load is a fraction of an inch, and the fluctuation between gusts is too little to measure.

 

[Stemar]

I like thinner, smoother lines and high-grip gloves.

If that works for you, great. On my 24 footer, just a little over 7m, I have 12mm double braid, and that works for me. On a racy boat, I'd have the thinnest, lightest line I could get away with and accept that I need gloves; for cruising, when I'd rather not have to wear them, the thicker the better, as it's easier to handle and kinder to your hands "Now hands that do sheets can be soft as..." Just make sure the chosen size fits in your blocks and cleats!

 

[duncan99210]

Rope type: polyester braid on braid, you don’t need any of the more expensive high strength stuff for cruising.
Make: any of the usual suspects. Probably worthwhile going for a known maker rather an unbranded one.
Finish: I personally prefer a matt finish for sheets but up to you.
Size: I prefer not to go too small. I have 10mm on my Hurley 18 and 16mm on the Bavaria. In terms of strength, both are well over the top but for ease of handling, theyre great.

 

[Topcat47]

Find a diameter that's comfortable for your hands. I've gone up to 12mm on my 26'er, which is fine when round a winch or when there's little load on the sheets. The reefing pennant on my roller is also 12mm, but the core has been removed for the length around the drum.

 

[Pirx]

Thank you everyone, that's really helpful.
And I'm happy to be able to relate that, diving into the depths of the cockpit locker, I came across a 'reel end' that I bought inexpensively a year ago with no particular use in mind: just nice to have a bit of shiny new rope as a reminder that everything doesn't have to be green and grubby. Turns out to be 10mm braid about a meter longer than needed for the genoa. So that's one problem fixed ............

 

[thinwater]

... Just make sure the chosen size fits in your blocks and cleats!

This is the problem. Few 24' boats are set up for 12mm sheets! I've seen a lot of boats where folks went up in size for comfort, only to get slow-running lines.

For me, it depends on the how the line runs. Lots of blocks, smooth skinny line. Genoa sheets, fatter fuzzy line can be fine, since it probably only goes through a big lead block and then to the winch. If the winch is self-tailing, compatibility with the grip ring is usually everything.

 

[William_H]

As said 10mm braid is the stuff to buy. I note OP comment use winch as a snubber but seldom use a handle. My little 6.5 metre has small jibs and big main. It will not go to windward properly (racing) without decent jib sheet tension. I suggest you try more jib sheet tension for better windward sailing. ol'will

 

[Fantasie 19]

This is the problem. Few 24' boats are set up for 12mm sheets! I've seen a lot of boats where folks went up in size for comfort, only to get slow-running lines.

For me, it depends on the how the line runs. Lots of blocks, smooth skinny line. Genoa sheets, fatter fuzzy line can be fine, since it probably only goes through a big lead block and then to the winch. If the winch is self-tailing, compatibility with the grip ring is usually everything.

Very wise words.. got a 20 footer with 10mm and I'm going down a size purely because the lines just run so slowly.. 8mm will do... there are no winches, and I wear gloves..

 

[Pirx]

I suggest you try more jib sheet tension for better windward sailing. ol'will

We seem to go to windward quite well, but I'll give it a go. What works for me single handed is to turn the sheet round the winch and lead it across the cockpit to the weather cleat. That way I can easily grab the part across the cockpit and swigg some tension into it.