jib sheets 38-200

[Rocinante33]

That's how I have my genoa sheet setup. One long sheet, less snagging when tacking.

I watched the video and it does produce an elegant knot in a "seamanship" mode, nice, but as tied it still leaves a dangling lump of a knot which extends from the clew. As Loren has pointed out, the goal is to eliminate a knot which extends and will catch on lifelines, mast hardware, kayaks, upturned dinghies, or assorted grandchildren scattered about on the foredeck, during a tack or a gybe.* The simplicity of the Lark's head/Cow hitch/Luggage Tag knot is the one which eliminates that hanging knot, I think. I am not terribly worried about the compression of the grommet at the clew as I think the main force, by far, is pulling on it, same as with a bowline, etc.

*Lest you think I send my grandchildren to the foredeck during a tack or gybe, I do not. But trying to keep them from scampering about is another story. We settled on a compromise. We will all clip on to the jackline, no matter how benign the conditions are. For those kids though, I just have simple tethers made from a piece of line tied (bowline) to their PFD (vest style with crotch strap) and a hardware store spring clip. It is NOT coastguard approved but it brings great peace of mind nonetheless.

 

[Christian Williams]

Better than nothin'.

Any kid observed not holding on with at least one hand has to come back to the cockpit. Both hands free for a millisecond? Back to the cockpit. Draconian, but it worked.

Now he's 30, and I find I;m not quite so cavalier with five-year-old grandchildren. But the "one hand" kid (and adult) rule still gets to the heart of it.

 

[K2MSmith]

I am about ready to order new rope for the sheets, so back to the original question - did anyone find some rope they liked ? Some of the new double-braided low-stretch ropes look good but seem a little unfriendly to the grip. Also want something that is going to resist kinks/tangles.....

 

[Rocinante33]

I am about ready to order new rope for the sheets, so back to the original question - did anyone find some rope they liked ? Some of the new double-braided low-stretch ropes look good but seem a little unfriendly to the grip. Also want something that is going to resist kinks/tangles.....

I like this Samson line which is bit of a compromise. Low stretch but not the most expensive. Very good "hand," IMHO. Excellent line.

MLX3 - Samson Rope

MLX3 is a lightweight, core-dependent line that has excellent strength and moderate stretch.

samsonrope.com

Samson MXLS3 White with Tracer

Samson's MLX3 is a lightweight, core-dependent line that has excellent strength and moderate stretch. The core is coated to match the cover, making the line strippable for greater weight savings. Features: Construction: Double braid Core-dependen

www.defender.com

 

[Dave G.]

For jib sheets I use NE Sta-set. Really nice on the hands, good price point, & not sure high $ ultra low stretch line is that important for this application is it ?

 

[K2MSmith]

For jib sheets I use NE Sta-set. Really nice on the hands, good price point, & not sure high $ ultra low stretch line is that important for this application is it ?

Without knowing much about rope, I used New England ropes sta-set for my traveler lines and reef lines ( have only owned a boat for 11 mo. There is an abundant supply of it at west marine and it’s not too expensive. If you look at their website, it seems they recommend it for almost any “performance cruising” application. I’m not certain it was best choice for reef line but it seems to work well so far . I was just checking to see if I should use something else for sheets in a racer/cruiser type boat .

 

[Rocinante33]

Personally, I find Sta-Set to be stiff to the hand and not so easy to tie. The regular StaSet is pretty stretchy (2-4% stretch , I think). Not so good for sheets and halyards which you want to be able to keep taut when close hauled. StaSet X is better (maybe 1-2%), but, as I said stiff.

Personal preferences come into play. For me, the Samson lines are worth ordering. West Marine has some of them listed and in store but they seem keen to sell New England Ropes.

As we sometimes say, "whatever blows your hair back!"

 

[G Kiba]

While I have used the Larks head for years. My current boat came with eye splices and soft shackles! Nice for quick changes of jibs.

 

[Christian Williams]

Allow me to add, regarding mainsheet only, that I continue amazed by my new 7/16th single braid (Regatta braid). What a pleasure in the hand and kink free. But I think it would have a tough time as a jib sheet in surviving the roughhouse of the stays.

 

[K2MSmith]

I thought I would add another data point since I recalled this topic. the sailmaker (north) came today to take measurements for the main. The guy who runs the north Sausalito is super knowledgable guy. Since he replaced my jib a few months ago and I was interested in new sheets, I had asked him about the Larks head knot (luggage tag) vs the “old school” bowlines. He’s take on it is it is personal preference but he said that the luggage tag knot can be “really hard “ to remove once it’s on there for a while and gets tight , so if you want to change sails often, he would do the regular bowlines (Which is what I am going to do).

 

[N.A.]

Newbie question: I measured my (old) jib and main sheets, and they match the lengths specified in the E35 document (link below) and E34 owner manual, but mine seem to be 5/8" dia, not 7/16" as specified in these documents. Also, 7/16" seems quite thin...

I am sure modern thin line can probably take the loads, but does anyone have an opinion on this? I need to replace my sheets. I can get short lengths to see if other diameters work in my self-tailers, but figured I'd ask here before buying a ton of line.

E35 specs are here: https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/resources/e35-running-rigging-specs.86/

 

[Geoff W.]

I use 5/8 for my jib on the 32-3. I have one all
Purpose 135% genny on the furler and the setup works well. Comfortable enough to pull in by hand and work while under load.

 

[Seth]

The suggested diameters were based on the available technology at the time. As the materials have improved smaller diameter lines are certainly feasible. For jibsheets I would use the smallest comfortable diameter for your hands (within reason considering the winches, self tailing jaws, etc.). Smaller diameter lines will run more freely through the blocks as well. 1/2" should be a good compromise, but more than load carrying ability, it is more a question of personal taste, since even modern 5/16 is strong enough (but clearly a bit too small for handling). Cheers

 

[Geoff W.]

I must amend my original post. I'm using 1/2 for my jib sheets.

 

[David Grimm]

Larger Jib sheets in my little experience equal 3 benefits. Easier on the hands, less wraps on the winch drum, and on my boat specifically they tend not to get caught under the front hatch as easily. I had 5/8 and now running 1/2. I may go back after this season. Leaving on a 2 and half week trip Monday We'll have to see how it goes.

 

[klb67pgh]

I hope replying rather than starting a new thread is ok-mods please correct me if I'm wrong.

1. Does anyone use Endura braid for Genoa sheets, and how do you like it? I replaced Sta Set halyards w New England Viper and really like the upgrade for the slight price increase. Even just the reduced weight when handling the halyard at the mast when wet vs. Sta Set. I'm looking for a similar upgrade for my sheets. Endura is a fair bit more expensive though. I've been through the forum threads on genoa line selection, but I'll take any other suggestions, as threads from 2006 won't include any of the new fibers available.

2. On my O'Day Daysailer II, I used 1 Sta-Set jib sheet, and attached the jib clew using a soft shackle attached to the jib sheet using a prusik knot. It never slipped and worked well. But that is a much smaller sail area. The soft shackle would remove the flopping hunk of metal out of the equation, avoid the bulk of 2 bowlines, and make sheet removal (although I usually leave the sheets on the sail) easier than picking a larks head knot free. Thoughts on the prusik/soft shackle for an E25 w a 130 Genoa?

 

[Christian Williams]

Much preferred to add to an existing thread, when possible. Keeps the info together. And it proves the poster searched first, and results in finely honed inquiry. Etc.

Me, I like ultra low stretch for halyards, but it wouldn't do me any good for sheets.

 

[Loren Beach]

For a very low-bulk connection I like attaching jib sheets with a "cow hitch" but for several years we have used bowlines. This was after an unfortunate day when a winch overwrap combined with the need to tack away from the shoreline in a strong breeze. I had to cut the sheet right at the clew. (As noted previously, it does indeed sound "like a riffle shot" to others a hundred yards away! )
After that we had two sheets rather than one long one.


Our halyards are ultra low stretch (T-900), 5/16", and will hold in our clutches which is the 'other' determining factor.

 

[ConchyDug]

Endura is pretty expensive, it's mega low stretch like SK99. I use endura for spin sheets and jib sheets on my F18 catamaran. Endura is for sport boats in my opinion. Samson makes a line of rope called MLX3 that's dyneema core like Endura but it's like SK30 something and cost about the same as similar sized Sta Set. It handles a type 2 splice and is low stretch. I splice the jib sheets and use a soft shackle on each sheet as a belt and suspenders approach. Vectran core rope is also a great halyard choice but is not uv stable... kind of a pain to bury the splice it's super tight. I thought we were going to rip a lewmar 65 out of the deck trying to bury the splice.

 

[klb67pgh]

Endura is pretty expensive, it's mega low stretch like SK99. I use endura for spin sheets and jib sheets on my F18 catamaran. Endura is for sport boats in my opinion. Samson makes a line of rope called MLX3 that's dyneema core like Endura but it's like SK30 something and cost about the same as similar sized Sta Set. It handles a type 2 splice and is low stretch. I splice the jib sheets and use a soft shackle on each sheet as a belt and suspenders approach. Vectran core rope is also a great halyard choice but is not uv stable... kind of a pain to bury the splice it's super tight. I thought we were going to rip a lewmar 65 out of the deck trying to bury the splice.

Sounds like I need to look at Samson MLX3. I wonder how similar it is to NE Viper? Do you know? I don't think I'd use Viper for Genoa sheets. I wish I had a store I could go to and handle line. I'll probably need to order a foot or two of a few options when I order other marine items and see how they feel. I'm not seeking a super low stretch option (nor willing to pay for it) - was just hoping there's a good affordable upgrade over Sta Set, with priorities for feel in the hand but not fuzzy, reduced weight, and isn't too stiff or slippery. I bought Samson Ultra-Lite for sheets for my drifter sail and like those, but I don't think that would stand up well to being left on the genoa day in day out all season for years.