Serving High-Modulus Line (Dynex Dux)

[svaletheia]

Hello again,

Working on finishing my Dynex Dux re-rigging - about to put the masts up and had a question: What is the best way to serve Dux for the area around the spreader tip?

I was thinking about a wrap with a friction electrical tape, then what is essentially a long "whipping" - e.g. "service" but without respect to any "lay" since a 12-strand doesn't exactly have a "lay"... I have 9mm (mainmast) and 7mm (mizzen) Dux, and was considering serving both with #36 tarred seine nylon... Would that be sufficient chafe protection for such an important place on the rig?

[benz]

What's more important with Dux, I think, is having a proper spreader tip. Where the shroud touches the spreader should be a nice big surface, not a tiny sharp point pushing into your dux. For my synthetic shrouds, which aren't as touchy as Dux, I made a spreader tip out of UHMW plastic with a curved groove in it that gently supports the shroud along a 1 1/2" bearing surface, and makes the turn more gentle.
As for service, I'd say just use a piece of leather, and make sure the spreader is well seize to the shroud so they can't work against each other.
Ben

[svaletheia]

All right, I appreciate the info very much. I'll give some good working to the spreader tips and go find some heavy leather.