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Types of Sailboat Halyard Rope

by Yasir Asif
Sailboat Halyard Rope

Halyard rope is one of the most important parts of running rigging. Without it, your sails could drop in a big way.

Halyards are a must-have for every sailboat owner. They are used to hoist and lower the mainsail or genoa.

Polyester

Polyester sailboat halyard rope, often called Dacron by the Dupont brand, is inexpensive, has good tensile strength and resists degradation by UV light. It stretches much less than nylon and is generally considered to be the workhorse of sailing rope.

In racing, low stretch and a low creep factor are essential. Spectra and Vectran-based ropes offer this, but many of these high-tech lines cost more than what the average budget racer can afford.

The best choice for cruising sailors who want a durable rope that doesn’t stretch and has good resistance to salt water is a Polyester double-braid. These lines are usually made with a 24-strand sheath (cover) and a 12-strand core to keep the overall weight down while providing the highest levels of UV protection.

Dyneema

If you’re looking for a lightweight, highly versatile, extremely strong and easy-to-splice sailboat halyard rope, look no further than Dyneema. This high-modulus polyethylene fiber has a low elongation at break and is capable of holding more load than conventional polyester rope.

It’s also a good choice for high-performance and regatta sailors who value the ability to withstand a lot of wear and tear. It’s lightweight and resistant to chemicals, making it suitable for use in a variety of conditions.

Another option for your main and jib halyards is the Double Braid, made with a Dyneema K75 fiber core covered by a synthetic polyester outer braid. This double-braid line has excellent wear, resistance, and fatigue characteristics and is used on most cruising and cruiser racers.

The other popular choice for cruising yachts is a line made with a Dyneema SK38 core. This is three times lighter than polyester, and only 2/3 the diameter of a polyester line with the same strength.

Polypropylene

Polypropylene rope is a great choice for many sailboat halyard applications. It is extremely load-resistant and rot-proof, which means it can last longer than other types of rope.

It is a low-cost, floats, and UV-resistant material that is also available in various colors. and it is commonly used in dock lines, fenders, and as a workaround for electric lines.

Unlike wire, it is not hard on your hands and gear, won’t scrape paint or anodizing from your mast, and is easier to splice. In addition, it won’t corrode as quickly as wire.

Upgrading a halyard to a high-tech, low-stretch fiber can improve your sailing experience and reduce wear and tear on your sails. However, it is important to consider how your halyard system has been designed and whether this will require a cascade of changes.

Nylon

Nylon rope has long been the most common sailboat running rigging line. It is available in traditional laid, single and double-braid construction as well as in combination with other fibers for specialized applications.

It is also resistant to rot and abrasion. This makes it an excellent choice for halyards and downhauls as well as many other applications on a yacht.

There are many trade names for synthetic ropes but the most popular ones are nylon, polyester and aramid (Dyneema, spectra and Vectran). It has been around for decades and is much stronger than wire, easier to handle, has good UV resistance and is very stretchy and elastic.

Polyester (also called Dacron or Terylene) is a cheaper general-grade line, suitable for most sailboats. It has some stretch and can be pre-stretched at the factory, although it does not float as effectively as modern fibers such as Dyneema(r).

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