3-strand sheets

[benz]

I'd like to use 3-strand polyester for sheets on my gaff-headed cutter, but am concerned about the lines kinking or hockling, especially after being winched on a lot. Is this a valid concern? I never had difficulties with my nylon anchor rode, but that never got wound around a winch, either.
Thanks in advance!

Ben

[Ian McColgin]

Not a problem. Marmalade's give or take 100' peak and throat halyards, complete with longsplices in each when moved from 3:1 to 4:1, work fine.

Here's the trick: coil in very big coils - at least 6' diameter - and especially before striking the sail, overhaul the line. Overhauling means take the coil off and, starting from the bitter end, pile or fake the halyard down so it has a chance of running. Braid and double braid actually tend to kink and bind more readily than cable laid anyway.

G'luck

[Brian Duff]

I really like 3 strand for sheets on boats such as yours. Being able to splice lines back together after chafe is a great asset to the cruising man. Three strand is not a good choice for larger sloops, say 30' up.
At those diameters handling becomes a problem but with a broken sail plan like your cutter, the sheets are much shorter, so not a problem but a plus in three strand.

[benz]

Thanks for the encouragement--I've always liked three-strand better than double braid. And buying an entire spool of just one rope will save a bunble.
Now, does anyone know where I can get those round (not teardrop-shaped) thimbles cast in bronze? I can't find them in any of my catalogs.
Ben

[Brion Toss]

Hello,
Round bronze thimbles can be gotten from a sailmaker, or perhaps directly from a foundry like the one here in P.T.
As for rope selection, a single-braid Dacron will be more hockle-resistant than any three-strand, as well as less elastic, easier to splice, and more supple. I definitely subscribe to the best-tool-for-the-job school.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss