Say, that's the best idea of this young day. The splices are the big
time hold up and are expensive in fancy rope. I was thinking (well
assuming which is not at all the same thing) that the splice was
necessary for clearance. I forgot about the thicker tail.

According to the tests in the West Catalog, 3/8 Sta-Set has 1.5%
elongation at $1.01 per foot and XLS Extra .75% at $1.76. After that,
prices skyrocket for minimal stretch gains.

If we go with 1/2" Sta-Set at $1.23 a foot, we should have the same
stretch as the more expensive line (based on cross section area),
easier hoisting, and cheaper. We'll never notice the extra weight and
windage in our cruising.

--

Roger Long



"Jeff" wrote in message
...
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