New Running Rigging
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Hi All,
I took part in the RTC (www.roundthecounty.com) race this past weekend (there were 3 Olsons racing)and snapped both sheet/guy for the spinnaker and main halyard..I was wondering what you guys are all using for running rigging and where to best purchase this stuff for cheap. Thanks!
For spin sheets/guys…I like Endura Braid. It is Dyneema 75 braid core..waterproof, very light. I strip the cover off the first 20 feet(roughly)and they are as light as light air sheets. VERY strong and no stretch. 3/8″ is a good size..you can go bigger for handling since you are taking the cover off. 10mm 3/8″ is what I have. With the cover off..about 6mm. I have found it on Ebay at times.
What did you break?
I am pretty sure it was one quarter Flightline, which is a dyneema core with a polyester-blend sleeve.. Roughly how long is your sheet/guy?
I think 66 ft. 1/4″ is too small for a guy…the pressure is pretty great when close reaching. The bigger line is easier to handle, but you don’t need the cover.
For light air sheets, I have stripped 5/16 flightline, 4000#, 2.0#/ft covered . This stuff has a ridiculously small dyneema core. We have absolutely no problem with its size for the guy. But then again, my halyards are 1/4 and 3/16, so the 5/16 flightline with its soft cover is a luxury on my boat. We actually use these sheets until it is blowing about 20 knots or so.
For heavy sheets, we have stripped 5/16 maxibraid, 7800#, 2.9#/ft covered. We never used them at all this year. Once last year. Weirdly, they seem to stretch more than the flightline.
That will happen when it blows over 20…
I decided to replace my 1/4″ blended polypro/vectran core sheets after this years Chi-Mac. They held up to about 35 before we got the chute down. I just went with 1/4″ 6mm Paraloc Shark. 4200 break strength. Vectran core with non abrading technora cover. I plan to leave cover on(it is integral can’t be removed, won’t slide or stretch) and use for light medium and heavy. I tie on sheets therefore able to rotate so there isn’t any distinct wear patterns weak points. Buy long and cut 6″ off each end after a few seasons. This will remove the wear point in the jaws of the pole. This would also make a great 1/4″ halyard. I rotate my halyards end for end also(luggage tag both ends)
So, it looks like 1/4″ is no good in 20+. Again..Endura 3/8 with no cover is about 1/4″…you’ll be amazed how light it is and it is WAY stronger. 11000 lbs. 12 strand Dyneema. I’m betting it is lighter than your covered 1/4″. I agree with smaller lines when you HAVE to have a cover. But don’t sacrifice a race with covered undersized lines. Spin guy loads are huge, the biggest load on the boat.
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