Hi-mod ends on dacron halyards

[k7cej]

I am replacing the spinnaker halyards on our Outbound 44. The original lines were Sta-Set X and after 8 seasons and a south pacific crossing they are faded and stiff where exposed. I tried washing them in a mesh bag, but the cover herniated the core in several spots -- use les violent setting next time!).

I am leaning towards using plain double-braided dacron as being more flexible, but a broker I respect says either type of line will chafe through in two days offshore. We haven't ever used our cruising chute that long, preferring a poled-out genoa for control and ease of reefing. My friend adivses using a tail of single-braid spectra (such as Amsteel) long enough to go from the shacke over the halyard block into the mast.

Is this practical? The Rigger's Apprentice doesn't cover a high-mod to type I double-braid splice. I have ordered Working Rope, Bk 5; will this cover the splice? What about UV degradation? These lines spend most of their life tied off at deck level.

I could just use a dacron covered, Dyneema cored line and strip the cover...and it would only cost about $1000 more...but I don;'t think I really need the low stretch. Any advice would be appreciated.

[allene]

I am afraid I can't answer your question except to note that a line with a stripped cover will not last as long as the same line with the cover. Think about it...

Spectra is very tough though. I can hardly cut the stuff with a knife.

If sta-set-X didn't fail in your application, Sta-set won't either as I think they differ only in the core.

But what do I know...

Allen

[Stumble]

K7,

If you got 8 years out of Stay-Set X, and are happy with it's performance I would just replace what you have with more of the same. Tappered and corred lines are great for racing boats where every ounce counts, but almost all cores are suseptable to either UV or abrasion (which is why they have a outer layer in the first place) damage. When you are out that far from a chandlery I would be hesitant to do anything that may reduce the life-span of the halyards.

As for if tapered lines are practical... Well every line on my race boat is tapered except some 1/8 tweaking lines. But then I also assume I will replace every line on my boat every 3 years. So i guess it depends on your budget and how much life you want out of the lines. The last thing I would mention is that if you ever need to reverse a line it isn't very hard with a facory line, but once they are tapered it becomes incredible difficult since you have to pull the core back over to the other side.

I am not sure but I don't know of any dacron lines... They may exist, but most lines today are made of polyester (stay-set, stay-set X, ect.). Right now at least Stay-Set is about the bottom end of New England Ropes product line. They have one other line in their 'Cruising' section which is a single braid line. I just don't think you would save enough money tring to find even cheaper line than Stay-Set without sacrificing durability or strength. Heck when I was in WestMarine today I notices Stay-Set was actually cheaper than double braid nylon dock lines.


Comparing Stay Set and Stay Set X at 1/2" diameter


Stay Set :
Weight - 8.2 lbs per 100'
Strength - 8,500 lbs breaking strength


Stay Set X:
Weight - 8 lbs per 100'
Strength - 9,600 lbs breaking strength

V-100 (For fun, too high tech and sun damage prone for cruising)

14mm or .5512 inches
Weight - 10.9 lbs per 100'
Strength - 24,500 lbs breaking strength

8mm
Weight - 3.5 lbs per 100'
Strength - 8,500 breaking strength

[k7cej]

Stumble:

Thanks for the thoughtful remarks. We do use high-tech lines where it counts: our genoa, staysail and main halyards are all T-900 (12mm on the 525 sq. ft. main, a bit of overkill but I don't worry about stretch). My main concerns is durability. On that basis I have ordered some Sta-set, which is more flexible than the X. I think the strength is sufficient for the cruising spinnaker and a bit of stretch is okay. I have decided to carry some Dyneema single braid, and if I get chafe on the Sta-set, I can always add the HMWPE tails. By the way, Dacron is just a trade name for polyester.