jib / Main Halyard 5/16 vs 3/8

[doubleb]

I am getting ready to change out my Halyards on my CD25,
what is on there appears to be 3/8"
I have heard that it really only needs 5/16.

I do belive in the ' just because its there is it right " statement

What is the rest of the group doing. as far as a CD25 is concerned??

Another newbi question

Thanks
Brian

[Joe Myerson]

Hi Brian,

I have replaced my jib sheets within the past two years, and I went with 5/16-inch Stayset. It seems to work just fine on a 25D.

--Joe

[Joe Myerson]

I should have read your post more carefully.

My halyards are 3/8-inch.

Remind me to read before replying! Sorry.

--Joe

[doubleb]

Thanks Joe.

I just want to try and keep everything as it should be. to best ability of my wallet.

Brian

[John Martin]

My recommendation is to go up in technology, and that allows you to go down diameter. That allows for a saving in weight and windage. There are many hi-tech fibre lines on the market today. Check the 2008 WM catalog, pp 1157 & 1159. Two of my favorites are T-900, and Sta-Set X.

Other good lines for sheets, halyards, control lines are:
Sta-Set
Endura Braid
Amsteel
Warpspeed
Salsa
Regatta

I have first hand knowledge of each of the above lines on the boats I cruise on and race on. All of them perform to the specifications. Each of these lines have a very specific application and use. All of these lines cost more the the average hardware store line. Many cruisers will opt for something a little lower technology. The higher tech lines alow for consistent set and trim of sails.

I consider the halyards and sheets an investment, so I am willing to spend the money to get the best sail shape and trim.

Halyards on a CD25D can be 5/16", or maybe 1/4", if you use the proper line. Using smaller diameter will reduce weight and windage aloft.

The Hunter 30 (Straga) I race on uses T-900 5/16" halyards, and 8 mm UULS for sheets. My 2 CD's are both rigged with all of the above. With excellent sail trim and set, I am able to cruise and race very fast. A fraction of a knot may alow you to make a bridge opening, or a first place finish.

Before you purchase any of these lines, get input from someone who is knowledgable and you trust.

This is just my never humble opinion.

Good luck,

JM

[Amgine]

According to my calculations, 5/16" Sta-Set-X will be more than enough for my CD25D; exactly the same breaking strength as Sta-Set double braid, which itself is stronger than what was available at the time our boats were built. Endura braid 6mm (slightly smaller than 1/4") has the same breaking strength again.

So, using 3/8" double braid will have 4.8 x the stretch, 5/16" Sta-Set-X will have 3.2 x the stretch of the smaller/lighter Endura. The Sta-Set-X is about the same as double braid price, but the Endura is twice the price at least. (At my local source the first two are *exactly* the same price, but the Endura is not kept in stock...)

I find the Sta-Set-X is easier to splice than the double braid. I haven't spliced the Endura yet.

[trapper]

I just put new halyards on Saga. I used the size as set out in the owner's manual.

My prior CD, QT, a CD22 has oversized halyards and they were really a pain. If you feel you need to up size your halyards, dont forget to up size your blocks and cleats!

[Sea Owl]

Brian;

I use 3/8", primarily because I have big hands and it is more comfortable for me. I agree with the others that you could go smaller easily, especially with today's lines.

I think 'comfort in the hand' on a cruising boat is an element of the choice.

Good luck and fair winds!

[doubleb]

Ok let me get this straight/??

If I go with sta-set Poly, Y/B D/B solid or color coded use 3/8.

If I go with the X, 5/16 is ok.

Looking at the specs on them they both carry the same breaking strength,
I guess its the stretch I need to worry about as well as the breaking..
I am just cruising and a beginner. And of course $$$$ has some influence.
So having the same breaking. I could use 5/16. but I need to decide on the amount of stretch that is allowable?

Hey this is E-Z ???

Sorry to sound dumb,
But thanks for all the great information.

B.B

[Dick Villamil]

I use 3/8" Sta Set X for my halyards on my 25-27 foot boats - easy on the hand and easy to splice. For the Ty the 5/16 in size is fine. I just couldn't justify the higher expense of the super lines - and I have had a very successful racing record. On the Typhoon - the 5/16" is easy on the hand and fits the shaves and cleats fine. It also wears well where it goes through the sheaves and cleats. I suspect that the 25 would be just righ wih the 3/8" size. Buy your halyard lines a little bit long so you can splice the ends and also reverse them after a few years (cutting off the shackle end rather that unsplicing it). This might also be a good time to lead your halyards back to the coskpit - makes it easy to singlehand the boat as well as tighten the halyards as they stretch in a haavy blow!

[Amgine]

Okay, the plain double braid has a stretch of 2.4% at 15% breaking load - 4400 lbs.

The X has a stretch of 1.6% at the same 15% breaking load.

So clearly you'll have much less stretch with the X, and it costs roughly the same.

The difficulty is comparing it with a different fibre, like Endura. The amount of stretch changes at every percentage of breaking load, so while double braid might stretch 2.4% at 15% breaking load that doesn't mean it will stretch 4.8% at 30% of breaking load; most likely it will stretch more than that. However, they don't like to report less than 1% of stretch, so they keep upping the percentage of breaking load until they get 1%. Endura gets to 1% stretch around 30% of breaking load.

[mattlydon]

NE Rope's web site says 3/8 stay-setX for the halyards on my CD28 as a 'cruiser', with T-900 in 5/16ths as a 'club racer' upgrade.

I was considering the T-900, but I'm not a racer. I DO enjoy getting maximum performance from my boat.

Should I go to 10mm T-900 for 'cruising'? - I'm no blue-water guy. I usually sail the Hudson, with the occasional foray into the LI sound, perhaps down to Jersey, but wouldn't want to under-rig.

Matt

[Amgine]

If you can move to 5/16" (8mm) T900, that means it is just as strong as the cruiser-suggested 3/8" (10mm) Sta-Set-X. The only difference is that T900 has less weight, less stretch, and less drag (and a higher price.)

So, if you want to move to a bit more performance, just go to the 5/16" T900. If you go with 3/8" T900 you will get no particular benefit, because your halyard will weigh roughly the same, have the same drag, and still be stronger than you will ever actually need.

[John Martin]

On the boat I race, we up graded from 3/8" Sta-set X, to 8mm (5/16") , T-900. This boat is a Hunter 30, one of the older ones, heavy, likes lots of wind.

When we re-trim halyards from up-wind to down-wind, we adjusted about 6" to 8" of stretch, when we used the Sta-set X. When we started using T-900, that same stretch was reduced to about 1" to 2". We get much better performance with T-900, less weight aloft, less windage.

The same thing with the jib sheet. We upgraded to 5/16" UULS and reduced stretch by several inches.

[doubleb]

Thanks to all!



3/8 it is.