Spectra for lanyards? Epee deadeyes?

[josef Taylor]

I've been thinking about installing deadeyes and lanyards on a 54' gaff ketch, but buying deadeyes is prohibitively expensive when there are so many more deserving projects. My brother has offered to make the eyes out of epee for free, so I'm jumping on the bandwagon. does anybody have experience using this wood for said purpose? I'm assuming I can find information about sizing in The Book, but perhaps they could be larger or smaller, given the material?
Also, anybody have experience using spectra for lanyards? I was thinking it'd be cool, given spectra's low stretch (after creep) and slippery-ness, requiring less vaseline and tackle for adjustment, as well as the UV resistance. my only question (other than unforseen problems) is dead ending the stuff. A mathew walker would look cool, but I'm not sure it'd be wide enough- they tend to get tall with more strands, not wide. I don't want to put landings on the rail, because I don't like the wood our bulwarks are made of, and I don't want the hole in case some future rigging bos'n wants the turnbuckles again.
Also, we wouldn't need the rope diameter with spectra, so the deadeyes could be smaller, right?

[josef Taylor]

I've found the original deadeye specs, and a whole lot of epee, but I'm still curious what sort of line should be used for lanyards. The original plans call for 7/16" linen thread balloon rope, which I will not be using. I imagine though, that if 7/16" linen will support the load, then 1/2" 3 strand polyester will too, and so would 12 strand spectra (and then some). Do the lanyards need the bit of stretch that poly/dacron would lend, or can they be super stiff? It looks like Samson has both in black, which would look pretty sweet-- I'm not into tarring the rig near deck height, considering our white uniforms!

[osteoderm]

I've used 3-strand dacron for lanyards. Taking them up is a bit of a bear with all the initial stretch, but once set up, they work well enough. The three-strand looks right too. The geometry and loads of a traditional rig for which deadeyes & lanyards are properly suited generally allow or even call for a certain amount of flexibility in rigging materials.
Near deck level is where you'll appreciate the preservative effects of a tarry rig most. Many coats of the right mix will dry and harden to a smooth black surface, almost shiny at first, and pose no particular danger to your uniforms. Properly well-tarred 3-strand line, with the conts nearely filled full-up with the stuff, look just great to my eye. The tar also shields the line from UV.
As for which "right mix" to use, well... that's a real matter of debate! Every traditional boat I've worked on has their own "secret recipe", more-or-less suited to their usage and location, ie., something that works great in temperate climes may well run right out of the rigging in the tropics.

[matt]

Why tar the lanyards if there going to be polyester? It just seems pointless since tar is used to preserve natural fiber lines. Black latex paint would do just as well on the polyester and will be a heck of a lot less messy.

[josef Taylor]

Or, I could just buy black line, and though yes, I know it won't look quite as cool, it will also be easier to adjust, instead of being hard and chunky, like paint. but thanks for the advice, you've definitely tamed my techno-crazy side, and I will be going with three strand.