Standing Rigging: Spectra vs. Vectran

[Brion Toss]

Hi Garth,
First, where did you read about Vectran's being particularly susceptible to sharp bends? All HM rope likes a healthy radius, but Vectran is, to my knowledge, less cocerned with bends than, say, Kevlar. If you look at the strength of 1/8" 1x19 (is this what was spec'd, or did they say 7x19?), you'll see a break strength of about 2,100lbs; 1/8" Vectran ó just the core, mind you ó rates at 1,900, so it is very likely just fine for your boat (the next larger size is up over 4,000). Some Spectra's actually rate at 2,100lbs for 1/8", but you are likely to exprerience "creep" with them.
Back to those sharp bends, where might they be? Neither bolsters nor eye throats should have them, assuming the eye is sufficiently large (see "Apprentice")
Be in touch on all this.
Fair leads,
Brion