Sailboat rigging lines

[T Donily]

Hello group,

I have heard people say to use braided Dacron for use in controlling sails.
I picked up Tuf Line XP which is a Spectra line similar to Dacron. Will
this work reasonably well? And is one size good for different boat sizes.
I currently have a Victoria (my first venture) and am wanting to go into
US1m and possibly Marblehead class boats, and my line is 50lb test with an
approximate size of 12lb monofilament line. Thanks for your help in
advance,

T Donily

[Gary Schmidt]

T Donily wrote:
> Hello group,
>
> I have heard people say to use braided Dacron for use in controlling sails.
> I picked up Tuf Line XP which is a Spectra line similar to Dacron. Will
> this work reasonably well? And is one size good for different boat sizes.
> I currently have a Victoria (my first venture) and am wanting to go into
> US1m and possibly Marblehead class boats, and my line is 50lb test with an
> approximate size of 12lb monofilament line. Thanks for your help in
> advance,
>
> T Donily
>
>
I use Spectra in kite-flying, here's some advice:

Be careful using Spectra, under sufficient tension it will cut through
any plastic items it runs past. If you sleeve it in Dacron where it
presses against things, it's fine. Also, learn how to splice it, as it
will cut through itself when knotted (unless sleeved). Actually,
successful splicing of 50lb Spectra is grounds for Saint-hood in some
religions!!

Cheers,
Gary B-)

[T Donily]

I am guessing that the Dacron would be a better material then? And what
about it's use in larger boats? Is 30lb Dacron sufficient? Thanks again,

T Donily

"Gary Schmidt" <Gary.Schmidt@oz.quest.com> wrote in message
news:3F45AA1F.1020205@oz.quest.com...
> T Donily wrote:
> > Hello group,
> >
> > I have heard people say to use braided Dacron for use in controlling
sails.
> > I picked up Tuf Line XP which is a Spectra line similar to Dacron. Will
> > this work reasonably well? And is one size good for different boat
sizes.
> > I currently have a Victoria (my first venture) and am wanting to go into
> > US1m and possibly Marblehead class boats, and my line is 50lb test with
an
> > approximate size of 12lb monofilament line. Thanks for your help in
> > advance,
> >
> > T Donily
> >
> >
> I use Spectra in kite-flying, here's some advice:
>
> Be careful using Spectra, under sufficient tension it will cut through
> any plastic items it runs past. If you sleeve it in Dacron where it
> presses against things, it's fine. Also, learn how to splice it, as it
> will cut through itself when knotted (unless sleeved). Actually,
> successful splicing of 50lb Spectra is grounds for Saint-hood in some
> religions!!
>
> Cheers,
> Gary B-)
>

[Rob]

On my Vic, I used 'Spyderwire', which is a non-stretchy, very thin,
woven(?) line. It's really light, takes a knot better than the white
Spectra kite lines. 50-lb. test on running rigging for a Vic is
overkill, in my opinion. I think I used 20-lb? If you've already got
it, use it. I agree with the 'band-saw' aspects of the spectra. If
you seize a block, it'll cut its way right through everything. But,
it's light, works well, doesn't seem to chafe (time will tell).
spyderwire is available at ***Mart stores anywhere.

Use what you got - go sail!!!