by K.C. Walker » Fri May 22, 2015 10:08 am
Talbot,
I don't use continuous sheets, so they are tails in the cockpit. And yes, too much line underfoot. The sheet line that I chose is New England Ropes Buzz Line which is single braid polypropylene 8mm for the main and 7 mm for the jib and UPS. It's not splicable but it does feel good in hand, is lightweight (so less need for tapered sheets), relatively inexpensive, holds well in cleats and ratchet blocks, is amazingly tangle free, and has held up well. Also, because it is single braid and very supple, it runs through blocks very well and has low internal friction.
The lightweight pennant from the sheets to the jib and UPS in effect does the same thing as tapered sheets and is easy to do yourself. However, it has the benefit of the sheets being continuous at that point with no knots at the jib clue, so more snag resistant.
I don't need sailing gloves for the main and jib, but of course they are nice. However, I do need gloves for the UPS.
KC Walker, DS 1 #7002