by GreenLake » Sun Jun 28, 2009 8:37 pm
Here are my hints what to look for: rope that runs easily through the blocks you have, doesn't tend to tangle, and that is also easy to grip and hold.
If you can go to a marine supply store in person, just let them show you what they have for "dinghy main sheet".
Because of the need to grip and hold a mainsheet, they tend to be oversized compared to the load you'll put on them. Therefore, they will neither break nor should they stretch appreciably (just too little load)
The Rigging measurements on this site say 5/16", D&R Marine suggests 3/8" and what I found on my boat when I bought it was 7/16". Larger diameters are easier on the hands, but will not run as smoothly through blocks and will be a bit heavier - those things matter in light airs.
What the previous owner put on my boat appears to have been 7/16" braided nylon docking line, as opposed to a 3/8" braided polyester which would seem be a more standard choice.
How bad is not having the "correct" main sheet? With that main sheet I do need to push out the boom when jibing in light winds because it's a bit too big for the blocks and its weight tends to pull the boom in. However, it's really easy to grip, and it doesn't tangle. For casual sailing it's worked well enough that I'm not in a rush to replace it.
In short, I'm a bit skeptical to the idea that there's one single type or brand of rope that's head and shoulders above the crowd for this purpose, and would recommend the cheaper alternative.
~ green ~ lake ~ ~