Disadvantages of endless mainsheets?

[SV_Chamelea]

Originally Posted by Brion Toss

.... That said, endless works best when both leads exit on the same side.When you want to let a lot of sheet out, you don't have to worry about pulling from the bottom of the pile, since it's twice as fast to blow both sides at once, and you can control this load, if need be, with the aid of (recommended) ratchets in the deck sheaves. ... Brion

Brion,
I was watching your Splicing video just last week. I'm changing cockpit lifelines from wire rope to 3/8" Vectran, using your Wand and your locked Brummel tecnique. Pretty straightforward and easy, once cautious to avoid snagging any of those tiny Vectran threads. I also tried your Wand for a Regatta braid eyeloop ... even easier than the Vectran!

REgarding THIS topic (endless mainsheet) ... I just upgraded to a 2-speed mainsheet. My 26' trailerable had a 4:1 tackle at the three/quarter boom, but I wanted to set a new traveler at mid-boom. Garhauer's 3:1 and 6:1 tackle seemed a perfect choice, and works very well over Harken's small boat WWd sheeting car. This is a perfect scenario for the endless mainsheet, right? I'm planning to allow only a 4-foot loop remaining after the mainsail reaches the backswept spreaders.

Unfortunately, your video shows only a StaSet (double-braided) endless splice. I'd like to use a downsized Regatta braid, from 3/8" to 5/16" ... can you advise an end-to-end splicing technique for the Regatta single braid??

[Brion Toss]

Originally Posted by SV_Chamelea

Brion,
... can you advise an end-to-end splicing technique for the Regatta single braid??

Hi there,
Nope. I tell you, we played around with this one for days, and if you come up with a constant-diameter splice for Regatta that is sufficiently strong (80% or so), and doesn't require several days and too much Prozac to accomplish, please let us know. We always use double-braid Dacron.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[SV_Chamelea]

Thanks anyhow ... bummer ... really like that Regatta!