Main Halyard
Replacement
The
original line is Yale UULS. According to the manufacturer's ratings, it is less
stretchy than many of the other double braids (e.g., Sta
Set/X), but the cover is loosely woven and allows the core to pop out. I
replaced my main halyard with 3/8" Yale Vizzion.
Vizzion has the same rating for stretch, it has a
much better (Vectran) cover and it is not terribly
expensive. Vizzion is not very hi-tech, but I don't
race and it seems to be a good line for the price. After 2 seasons the cover
shows very little wear.
For
comparison purposes 3/8" Sta Set X and Vizzion have nearly equal
breaking
strength, but Sta Set X will stretch 3.00% at 20% of
breaking
strength,
Vizzion will only stretch 0.95% at 20% of breaking
strength.
Vizzion is
about double the price of Sta Set X, but it is about
40% cheaper than some of the high tech lines.
Let us know
if you get a recommendation from Layline. I need to
replace my jib halyard soon.
JeffC
According
to their manufacturer's ratings, StaSetX (SSX) will
stretch about twice as much as your original halyard, which was probably Yale
ULS.
Catalina
used ULS for many years until it was discontinued a couple of years ago. SSX is
also very stiff and difficult to splice. It is relatively inexpensive at about
$85 dollars for 120 feet.
A few years
ago I replaced my main halyard with Yale Vizzion. It
has a Vectran/Polypro core. Great rope, it is rated
to stretch about 40% of the amount that SSX stretches, and it costs about $130
dollars for 120 feet. Unfortunately, it is not widely available anymore, but
you could try CLR, Hamilton or APS.
Samson XLS
Extra might be a good choice. It is a Dyneema/Polypro
blend. It has about 30% of SSX's stretch and costs
about $150. I'm not sure if Dyneema/Polypro has any negative
characteristics.
I recently
called Layline to get their recommendation for a new
jib halyard. They recommend rope that has a Vectran
core, either
You might
want to call Layline and see what they have to say
about these choices. They don't sell XLS Extra.
Good luck.
JeffC
Can anyone
suggest a better line for the main halyard then New England Sta
Set X? I replaced my original main halyard this spring with the Sta Set X and it is the worse line I've ever worked with.
It constantly kinks when going through the main halyard brake and stops the
momentum of the sail falling. This usually means a trip to the mast to finish
lowering the sail. It is very stiff and no matter how the line is straightened
out it will
kink. Any
help will be appreciated.
Charlie
Walsh
Windrifter
#317