In most cases you want the mazimum amount the sheaves will take but you can
expect the lines to run a bit slicker with one size smaller. Check the
blocks.
I splice or jacket up to 7/16 which is the smallest size that is
comfortable in my hands.
Rope strength doesn't mean as much as it used to since lines of much smaller
sizes than we use
have plenty of strength for the job.
It's unlikely to undersize the lines on most boats where strength is
concerned with the quality of the lines we have today. Unless you do some
seriously bad rerigging.


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