Roger Long wrote:
....
Hallett said that West would try to sell me a low stretch rope but it
wasn't nearly as good as what they would sell me at about $300 for a
38 foot (deck stepped) mast. If I order it Monday, I can get the boat
rigged in time for the weekend.

....

A few more thoughts - a reason for the high tech stuff is to reduce
size and weight. For cruising however, you want the thickest, easiest
to handle line that will fit the sheave, winch and other fittings.

And for some reason, people like to splice on the halyard shackle and
then wonder why it resists going up the last few inches. Much better
to use a stunsail tackbend, which is very secure, only takes an inch
so it won't jam in the sheave, and can be removed when its time to
"end for end" the rope.

http://www.wellesley.edu/Athletics/P...mainsheet.html