Suitable rope for mainsheet

[morgandlm]

Am in the process of spending money on my Sadler 26 which is going to be treated to a new mainsheet and new furling line. I don't know whether to choose 12mm Marlow Mattbraid or 12mm Marlow 16 platt matt for the main sheet. Can anyone out there advise which is better with regard handling the sheet. I'm not sure what the exisiting, very worn, sheet is.
The existing furling line is 10 mm matt braid and I am considering 8mm to minimise risk of binding on the furling drum (it sometimes happens). Any comments on the suitability of 8mm matt for a furling line - tougher on the hands maybe?
Grateful for any advice or comments.
Morgan

 

[sailorman]

keep the furling line @ 10 m/m if you have a prob with the drum getting full simple remove some of the inner line leaving the outer for a few mtrs fed onto the drum first. this is how my first Hood / Harken woz done

 

[Malcb]

I use 8mm on my 23 footer, and have no trouble handling it. I was it every year to keep it supple though.

 

[Poignard]

I use 8mm on my ancient [but very free-running] Rotostay and it is fine for getting a grip on with cold wet hands. There is a slight tendency for the last couple of turns to bind when setting the sail in very light winds but it's not a problem, hauling in the jibsheet causes the sail to fully unroll. I tried 6mm for a short while [ as recommended by Rotostay Ltd] but it was much harder to grip, so I went back to 8mm.

A friend of mine has a furling line made up of two legths of 6mm and 8mm diameters. Part of the core of the 8mm line is removed and the 6mm stitched in its place.

 

[johnalison]

I changed from a matt mainsheet to a shiny one (can't remember which) so that the multiple lines would slide past each other better as I have three pairs = triple blocks. It depends on your set-up, but any good cord of the right size should do. It's best to colour-code it to the same as the main halyard if you have all lines led aft.

 

[ebbtide]

Re: New mainsheet

While you're on a spending spree indulge in multiple blocks and an endless sheet (get a professional to long-splice multiplait.)
Almost as good as sliced bread . . .

 

[morgandlm]

Re: New mainsheet

While you're on a spending spree indulge in multiple blocks and an endless sheet

Can you explain what you mean by this. My mainsheet uses multiple blocks but I don't understand the endless bit.
Thanks for all the replies.
Morgan

 

[john_morris_uk]

Re: New mainsheet

[ QUOTE ]
While you're on a spending spree indulge in multiple blocks and an endless sheet (get a professional to long-splice multiplait.)
Almost as good as sliced bread . . .

[/ QUOTE ]Opinions Differ. I know some people who think that endless mainsheets are the work of the devil.

 

[LadyInBed]

Have a look at Jimmy Green's sheets and halyards size and length guide

 

[alec]

Down to personal preference really for the mainsheet.


Doublebraid is very nice to the touch but does stretch a bit for the racing man. Shiny but hands don't slip.

Marlowbraid - very little stretch but less nice to the touch.

Mattbraid - Plain style is nice to the touch and won't stretch much but expensive.

I would expect 10mm or 12mm would be fine.

Mighy be worth going to a chandler to touch up their rope.

Try E. Bay for new rope. Lot's of chandlers selling Marlow and Liros rope.

 

[Boathook]

I also removed inner core on my furlex to assist it fitting the drum; about 6m ...............