Reefing pennant line size

[Tim O]

I’m thinking of replacing the two slab reefing lines on the mainsail of my Colvic Countess 33 ketch.

the current lines are 10 mm which seems excessive, and I get a fair amount of friction on them....they are also quite old and “fuzzy” which probably doesn’t help

Would dropping to 8mm line be ok strength wise do you think?

im aware also that a block at the cringles might help with the friction but I like simplicity!

 

[prv]

Sounds reasonable to me. I have 8mm “cruising dyneema” (dyneema core, polyester cover) on a 34-footer, suspect I could go lower strength-wise but the winch and jammers wouldn’t grip it.

Pete

 

[jwilson]

I’m thinking of replacing the two slab reefing lines on the mainsail of my Colvic Countess 33 ketch.

the current lines are 10 mm which seems excessive, and I get a fair amount of friction on them....they are also quite old and “fuzzy” which probably doesn’t help

Would dropping to 8mm line be ok strength wise do you think?

im aware also that a block at the cringles might help with the friction but I like simplicity!

With 8mm polyester if half decent quality you'd rip the sail cringles out of the sail with well over a ton of load long before the rope broke. You could probably lift your car into the air with it. You could probably use 4mm to cope with the actual loads but it would be hard on the hands when pulling.

 

[davidmh]

I am sure 8mm would be ok,I think 10mm is overkill, will add a lot of friction to the system. as jwilson said you could go lighter still but its unkind on the hands.
david MH

 

[Poignard]

I'm sure 8mm would be fine.

I think mine are 6mm but the mainsail on my Twister is probably a lot smaller than yours.

 

[[70521]]

I’m thinking of replacing the two slab reefing lines on the mainsail of my Colvic Countess 33 ketch.

the current lines are 10 mm which seems excessive, and I get a fair amount of friction on them....they are also quite old and “fuzzy” which probably doesn’t help

Would dropping to 8mm line be ok strength wise do you think?

im aware also that a block at the cringles might help with the friction but I like simplicity!

Gosh, my halyards and sheets are 10mm!

Reefing lines 6mm mainsail area 20m2

 

[Catalina36]

The lower limit isn't determined by line strength, it's determined by what your hands can haul and what a jammer can hold. Even a 6mm line will take way more load than you'll ever need but it's a sod to pull on. 8mm is probably a good compromise.

 

[Poignard]

I just raise the boom with the topping lift and then it's easy.