On Sun, 30 Jan 2005 09:54:13 -0800, "Robert or Karen Swarts"
wrote:

I know conventional wisdom decrees that running rigging use polyester
cordage and anchor line use nylon. The nylon is said to stretch more, and
thus take up shock loads more readily. Polyester, on the other hand,
stretches less and is said to make setting the sails easier. I can
understand this for racing purposes, but wouldn't the same tolerance to
shock load be a blessing in a cruising boat where resilience of the rig is
of ultimate importance?

No way. Stretchy halyards are a plague. Your sail will bag out in a
gust, just as you want it flatter.


Indeed, polyester is too stretchy for halyards. I used spectra core
for the main halyard, when I replaced the wire one. It needs
tightening once after a few minutes.

The jib halyard and the port-side spinnaker halyard now have ( IIRC)
twaron and technora cores, which don't creep as much. On a cruising
boat, I keep the polyester cover over the whole length. I suppose if I
were racing I would strip it except where I handle it and put it
through clutches.



Bob Swarts



Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a


"Nuke the gay whales for Jesus" -- anon T-shirt