Suggestions for new lines for genoa

[DunderDawg]

Hello!
I have to replace the lines for the genoa on a roller furling. Question.....s.....
What diameter is needed for a 25 ft Bayfield, what material/type should I look for, how long should the 2 lines be?
I've picked out the colour....now for the important stuff.
Thanks! DunderDawg

[roverhi]

It's not what diameter is needed but what diameter you want to hand. 5/16" would be strong enough but brutal on the hands. 3/8" is as small as I care to tug on with any force and really prefer 7/16".

Get double braid dacron line like StaSet from New England ropes. All the major manufacturers make a double braid that is good for sheets.

A rule of thumb I've heard for length is 1 1/2 time the boats length for a genoa sheet. a non overlapping headsail can be shorter. If these sheets are going to be dedicated to a roller furling headsail consider buying a line twice as long as an individual sheet and secure it to the sail using a brummel splice. If you didn't want the sheet to be permanently attached to the headsail, use a cow hitch. Both of these methods will not hang up on the lower shrouds and make tacking way easier than sheets tied on with a bowline. I wouldn't use spliced on shackles. They are a waste of money and real head clunkers when the sail is flogging.

[barnakiel]

I use 10 mm on light sails and 12 mm / 14 mm if the sail is biggish.

I prefer the cotton-finish poly over other kinds. These wear earlier but they are so much more friendly to the hands.

b.