Conference unifix::sailing

>    I'm  planning on getting new sheets for the working jib and 150
>    genny on our Sea Sprite 23 (22'6" X 7'6"). i'm going to use 25'
>    of braided dacron but am unsure as to size and finish. 1/4" is
>    definitely out and I think 1/2" is a bit of overkill which leaves
>    5/16, 3/8, 7/16. Fuzzy Vs normal (or non-fuzzy)? Comments would
>    be appreciated.
    
I presume you don't plan on replacing your sheet blocks. You should take
one along to the store and make sure that the size line you pick will run
freely. I don't have any data on breaking strength requirements, etc.
but I do know that bigger line is easier to hang on to, and less likely
to tangle when dropped in a heap. I would go with a 3/8 or 7/16, based on
which one "feels" appropriate in the store. You don't indicate what size your
present sheets are. I am assuming you are going up in size, and/or you have
no reason to believe your old sheets were undersized.

--RS

    I use the fuzzy cover and like it.  Its Yale Cordage and I have
    not seen much in the way of stretch, although the cover seems to
    take more of a beating than non-fuzzy.   It is much easier on the
    hands than the other stuff.
    
    I'd stay way from really stiff stuff like Sta-Set-X.  Its not worth
    it for a cruiser and doesn't handle nicely.
    
    Rick
    

    Re: .2  I second the motion.  Stay away from Sta-set X.  We have
    it on Fat Tuesday for its extremely low stretch, but it handles
    like a mad porcupine.  The soft braided is the way to go.  Another
    advantage with the soft braid is that it almost never forms an a--hole
    and jams in the block during tacks.
    
    Dave

    RE .3
    
    Dave,
    
    Thanks for the derivation of the word "kinky". :-) :-)
    
    Ed

    There is a new (to my knowledge anyways) dacron line called YALE Light
made by Yale Cordage. It is meant for spinnaker usage on smaller vessels.
It's claim to fame is it is 1/2 the weight of normal dacron, resists
kinking, and retains no water. 

   I have talked to some folks who use if on their catamarans and they say it
is good, as it doesn't try to drag itself off the back of the boat when one
is He!! bent for a leeward mark. The stuff doesn't come in fuzzy covers, but
that shouldn't be a problem, as I am upgrading the rigging to add cam
cleats next to the trimmer (we don't need no stink'n winches on Hobies :>)  ).

    Can anyone give me a name of a store selling Yale Light in the New England
area? The prices in my Hobie factory catalog are stratospheric (like the port
hole cover that was priced 5 times what I paid for the same one in Boat US). 

  Thanks

   john

    John,
    
    Although Defender is not in New England, they can be reached by phone.
    
    They list Yale Light in the catalog
    
    size                price/ft
    
    3/16                 $ .39
    1/4                    .54
    5/16                   .84
    3/8                   1.19
    7/16                  1.45
    
    djc