Replacing reef lines

[Jimbo2010]

The boat came with fat 12mm (my guess), I want to downsize them.

Both lines are single reef lines, they are just too heavy

Was thinking Dyneema, but concerned about clutch and winch holding issues.

Any ideas?

[Jammer]

Use any of the dyneema core ropes that have a polyester cover. Samson warpspeed, Marlow Excel Racing, NER Viper, etc. These will have less stretch and greater strength and will still behave in clutches and winches. I don't have reefing lines as such on my boat but use these kinds of rope for halyards.

[leecea]

I don't have experience with the lines mentioned below but we do have NER VPC for our main halyard and it is much stiffer than the NER Sta-Set that we use for other lines. Given that single line reefing lines often run a fairly circuitous route I'd wonder if flexibility should be a key consideration.

[azul_b]

I downsize from 10mm old fluffy to 8mm Cruising Dynema (noemal outer, dynema inner). Much easier to raise main!

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by leecea

Given that single line reefing lines often run a fairly circuitous route I'd wonder if flexibility should be a key consideration.

The other choice that is out there is to use a combination, either by using dyneema core rope with the cover stripped for the portions that go through the blocks inside the boom, or by using Amsteel for the whole thing and adding a cover for the portion that is expected to be held by the clutch and winch. Either way, any splicing and rigging shop can do this, and the outcome is a light, thin, slippery, flexible material through the blocks and a heavier, more grippy material at the winch and clutch. It does add cost and requires some careful measurement the first time it's set up.

[Jimbo2010]

Looking at 3/8"
New England Ropes Endura Braid Euro Style

Or for about a $1 foot less



New England Ropes VIPER Performance Cruising Line

[Cheechako]

To me the most important thing about lines is being able to grip and use them, not how big they are etc.

[Jimbo2010]

Agree, but the smaller the line the easier it flows, then it a matter that it grips winch, cams and has the strength.

big heavy reef line on the main affect the shape in lite air, the ones I have now pull down on the leech.

They also add weight when hoisting

[fxykty]

Originally Posted by Jimbo2010

The boat came with fat 12mm (my guess), I want to downsize them.

Both lines are single reef lines, they are just too heavy

Was thinking Dyneema, but concerned about clutch and winch holding issues.

Any ideas?

Bare Dyneema is awesome for reefing lines - no stretch so no squalling, smaller diameter runs more freely, slippery so it does less damage to sails. If you need it to be clutched then simply insert a 50% polyester line inside to bulk it up. We’ve also sewn covers over those areas that need to be clutched (saves wear and tear of the clutch jaws on the Dyneema).

Regarding winching, use 6-8 wraps instead of 3-4. No big deal.

We had 14mm double braid polyester reefing lines and replaced them with 8mm Dyneema. After 5 years replaced the first reef line with 10mm Dyneema - a little more hand friendly. We added Dyneema covers for the first metre from boom through clew ring through the end boom sheave to protect from chafe.

[grantmc]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

To me the most important thing about lines is being able to grip and use them, not how big they are etc.

In total agreement, and I prefer 12-14mm line as it's easier on the hands. And especially at night there's something of substance to hold on to.
Also reducing line size might require replacing any blocks.

[Tupaia]

Originally Posted by Jimbo2010

Looking at 3/8"
New England Ropes Endura Braid Euro Style

Or for about a $1 foot less



New England Ropes VIPER Performance Cruising Line

If staying with conventional lines (polyester) then check the strength rating there are massive differences between lines of the same diameter.

[Jimbo2010]

9,000 and 10,200 there's only 1200 lbs difference

Endura has Core Material: 12-strand Dyneema SK75

[Tupaia]

Originally Posted by Jimbo2010

9,000 and 10,200 there's only 1200 lbs difference

Endura has Core Material: 12-strand Dyneema SK75

Okay, I thought they were conventional (not Dyneema), but still more than 10% difference for the same size,

[Dirk01]

We just transferred a brand new Lagoon 42 from La Rochelle resp. Les Sables d'Olonne into the med. We have had to renew the reef lines after 70hours of use in A Coruna (due to chafe thru the pulleys). We downsized them from 12mm to 10mm with Dyneema core lines. Runs better, easier handling, no clutch or winch probs and lasted the rest of the transfer.

Cheers
Dirk

[blackwell68]

What size clutches and blocks do you have ?
Start with that. Unless you want to buy new ones.