Which type and make of line / rope

[Scotty_Tradewind]

If this has been recently discussed please redirect me...

I've begun to sort out new ropes for topping lift, sheets on main, genoa, storm gib and all halyards.

Having just seen the huge array of types of rope from just one manufacturer for a cruising boat, I'm still

finding it difficult to choose the individual rope for each purpose.

Therefore forumites..... If you were to make the choices for a heavy old yacht like the Tradewind, that is

happily sailed in challenging conditions that I'm taking accross Biscay to the Med'

What make?

What type?

What sizes for each purpose?

Where from?

and Why?...

thanks
S.

 

[jerrytug]

If this has been recently discussed please redirect me...

I've begun to sort out new ropes for topping lift, sheets on main, genoa, storm gib and all halyards.

Having just seen the huge array of types of rope from just one manufacturer for a cruising boat, I'm still

finding it difficult to choose the individual rope for each purpose.

Therefore forumites..... If you were to make the choices for a heavy old yacht like the Tradewind, that is

happily sailed in challenging conditions that I'm taking accross Biscay to the Med'

What make?

What type?

What sizes for each purpose?

Where from?

and Why?...

thanks
S.

I have just bought 200m of 12mm, and 100m of 14mm, of Liros 3 strand imitation hemp, made in Germany. It is gorgeous to handle, splices like a dream, and was got through Riggers-UK at a better price than nameless ebay garden rope.
Try and rationalize your sizes, and buy massive drums at wholesail prices is my advice. Can you splice braid on braid? I can only splice 3 strand.

My boat has miles of running rigging but I worked out I only need two sizes really, it's not the tensile strength but the 'hand' and also resistance to chafe.

I know you want braid on braid but Liros is quality anyway.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

Only my personal choice :-

Double braid for sheets. Nice to handle and not too stretchy.

Marlow braid for halyards. ( Min stretch )

3 strand polyester , topping lift or anything where you need a shock absorber or mooring.

Not keen on 3 strand nylon .

 

[Tranona]

You can get recommendations for both types and sizes from the makers such as Marlow, Liros or English Braid, or the websites of rigging specialist like Jimmy Green. Nothing difficult or magic about it. Sizes for running rigging are often determined by sheave sizes and on a cruising boat you are unlikely ever to get anyway near the load limits of modern ropes of the correct size so no need to "go the next size up".

 

[Tomahawk]

What is the boat and what sort of sailing do you do?

No point in spending too much (waste of beer tokens)...no point in not spending enough.

We have spectra all over the place because Tomahawk is a bit of a sports car and saggy luffs would ruin the set of the sails. But if you are pottering sbout on a family cruiser there is no point in going to the expense.

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

What is the boat and what sort of sailing do you do?

No point in spending too much (waste of beer tokens)...no point in not spending enough.

We have spectra all over the place because Tomahawk is a bit of a sports car and saggy luffs would ruin the set of the sails. But if you are pottering sbout on a family cruiser there is no point in going to the expense.

Please see original posting.

My main concerns are for sheets on new hank on jib for F5-8 and storm jib 8+ but having said that the genoa sheets are

beginning to have the inner and outers moving apart from one another.

The main sheet is similar but I'm not so concerned about that as the gearing on the sheet is either 3 to 1 or 6 to 1, whichever

I choose to use. I set this system up so that my best crew (wife) can manage the 6 to 1 easily even when hard pressed,

although we do have an incredibly long bit of rope on the cockpit sole!

I just read through the Liros catalogue again, which came with PBO, and it still has me confused as there are potentially too

many choices.

S.

 

[Tomahawk]

I would go with Long Keeler on this.
Marlow braid for or braid on braid halyards as they don't want too much stretch

Sheets, use double braid for softness in your hands and a little give for taking out the worst of the gusts. Go for the largest size that will go through the turning blocks etc for the comfort of handling.

 

[alan_d]

Sheets, use double braid for softness in your hands and a little give for taking out the worst of the gusts. Go for the largest size that will go through the turning blocks etc for the comfort of handling.

If you have self-tailing winches you may find these limit the maximum diameter you can successfully use for jib sheets.