Main Sheet 5/16?

[John Stevens]

I just picked up 44 feet of line for the main sheet. I followed the Tech info here and bought 5/16. It's thinner than the line that was on the boat which might or might not have been original. Anyway, are you guys using 5/16? Seems like the bocks are built more for 3/8.

John

[persephone]

Hi John,

Diameter is really only dependent on strength needed and the specific line used. I used new england ropes endura-braid line. The 6mm size (roughly equivalent to 1/4") has a tensile strength of 4,000 pounds, more than enough for the mainsheet. I think you are right that the original line would have been 3/8". I know my old javelin had it's original and it was 3/8". I wouldn't be too concerned about the difference in reference to the blocks.
When I picked up my DS the main and jib sheets were heavy 1/2' line. Together they weighed 4 pounds 10 ounces. The new ones come in at 1 pound 5 ounces. The downside I figure is that these lightweight lines will have a shorter lifespan. They are also harder on the hands when sheeting in under load.

[GreenLake]

...Diameter is really only dependent on strength needed and the specific line used.

With modern materials the breaking strength (or even the working loads) of very thin line are probably already adequate. For boats like the Daysailer, the load is really no longer a useful criterion in and of itself.

The weight of a line might matter, although, if it's not weight aloft, I wonder whether a pound or two in weight really make that much of a difference when the hull isn't exactly a lighweight to begin with.

For halliards, I might buy the argument that less weight aloft can be felt, because of the leverage arm, but sheets are usually led fairly low.

In light winds, very heavy sheets could create enough of a pull by weight alone, that it interferes with the set of the sail. How easy the sheet runs through its blocks would seem to matter as well.

They are also harder on the hands when sheeting in under load.

I like a sheet that I can grip comfortably. That's the reason why I have no problem using sheets that are ridiculousy oversized based purely on load considerations.

[etonline]

So after a search and reading this thread.

What size line are you using on sheets for hand comfort that will fit the blocks and cam cleats?

By the way I am sailing a DS II but ran across this thread in a search and saw it was fairly recent.

Also just ran a search on halyard lenght and didn't see an answer. If I want torun the halyards on cheeck block back to the cockpit will the specs in the tech section work? Or do I need to add a few feet? If so how many?

Thanks
Ed

[GreenLake]

What size line are you using on sheets for hand comfort that will fit the blocks and cam cleats?

I've actually been using 1/2" for the main. That's the way it came with the boat, and I like the feel - it's possibly slightly oversized for the blocks, and it's weight is definitely pulling on the boom in light airs, but I've seen no urgency in changing it....

For the jibsheets I'm using 3/8", again, not a conscious selection, but rather something I had lying around that just happened to have the correct length when I needed a line to use with a new jib. The rope in that case doesn't handle as well, not because of the size, but because it's a little more slippery and stiff. Again, it's at the upper end of what the blocks will fit.

[Roger]

I would go 1/2" on the mainsheet and 7/16 on the jib sheets with a soft lay. It has a cloth like feel. As for back to the cockpit, I would add another 6' to the length.

[etonline]

Thanks guys.

I would have been hesitant to go to 7/16 on the jib sheets.