Martin Brooking Posted May 2, 2023 Posted May 2, 2023 I sail DF95s and IOMs and I’m hoping for some advice about choosing the best general cord for the lines. I do have a small supply of the standard thin dyneema that came with my 95 when I bought it in 2016 (yes, it’s an early boat). My wife’s 95 and my IOM were bought second hand and both have slightly heavier braided lines for sheets and standing rigging (on the 95 only). This line, though slightly thicker, runs well and has the benefit of being easier to tie - it seems a bit easier to adjust bowsies too. It’s also pretty robust and resists wear very well. Whereas the standard 95 line does fray quite easily and is a bit jerky with the bowsies. Sadly I don’t know what the heavier line is. Can anyone advise on a type/brand of good general purpose line please? And where is a good source? Thanks and regards to all
John Taylor Posted May 2, 2023 Posted May 2, 2023 Take a look at the following link: Rigging guide I hope this helps JT
Martin Brooking Posted May 2, 2023 Author Posted May 2, 2023 Thank you John that’s very helpful. I see the rigging guide is fairly generic. As far as I know there are many different types of dyneema and many more different brands. I think it’s used by anglers too and I didn’t know if it was a good idea to explore their products. I was hoping someone might have some specific recommendations of readily available products. Thanks again M
Stephen B Posted May 2, 2023 Posted May 2, 2023 Just rigging my old IOM Kantun with 80lb spectra, in many colours, ties easily and melts well for stopper knots, to reduce untying, and less glue needed. the zapper cutter from an offshore supplier, cuts it neatly will see how it sails
Martin Brooking Posted May 2, 2023 Author Posted May 2, 2023 Good news Stephen! Can’t wait to see the boat on the water again. 80lb spectra … what is the brand and where did you source it? Hopefully if the boat’s ready on Saturday I can compare the cord you used with the heavier cord on my other boats.
Stephen B Posted May 3, 2023 Posted May 3, 2023 Andrew put me onto it. He uses it. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/354218547793?var=623599977682
Stephen B Posted May 3, 2023 Posted May 3, 2023 (edited) But only one this so far, all other with lines from other model boat suppliers Edited May 3, 2023 by Stephen B Update
Martin Brooking Posted May 3, 2023 Author Posted May 3, 2023 Thanks Stephen. I believe that's 4-strand, which is interesting. I think the lines I have are 8 strand (though really not sure). It will be interesting to compare and to see how your new rigging fares.
Eric Finley Posted May 3, 2023 Posted May 3, 2023 Hi I have looked at this issue a few times & asked fishermen their opinion/thoughts and came up with the following. 1/ The obvious is that the breaking strains of each is the same, be it four or eight strands. 2/ Both are woven construction with the only difference being the number of strands used. The four strand being made of heavier construction strands gives a coarser finish (more/larger gaps between each strand. Hence a rougher feel when you run it between your fingers. The eight strand with its lighter strands allows smaller gaps and hence you end up with a smoother finish and a more consistent cylindrical construction. 3/ Because of the properties in (2) according to the fishermen the eight strand runs through the guides on the rods smoother allowing longer casts when using light baits. It is also less noisy as it runs through the rings. 4/ The four strand apparently is better when fishing near rocks and weed. The reason I was given being that the larger strands firstly are more resistant to abrasion and will also cut through weed better as it acts a bit like a saw (rougher external finish). This translates into a disadvantages for eight strand. 5/ On cost advantage four strand! This to me has translated into using eight strand as aside from needing replacing probably more often (abrasion damage) it should run better through eyes on the boat, also cause less damage to pully wheels and mast sheet post etc. Also if it does rub on the deck should cause less marking/damage. Being a more consistent shape i would also expect less windage. I also look at how soft the braid appears to be and how resistant to taking a set (crease) as I want it to run as smoothly as possibly. I also look at the diameter over the eight strands for a given breaking strain and would normally choose the thinnest as this should have the smallest gaps between the weave and hence hold the least water when wet, (minimum weight of sheet line). The smallest diameter also allows use of the smaller available bowsies again small gain on reducing rig weight and windage. The one area I struggle with is the drag of lines when wet on the hull as in very light air I think this causes the largest obstruction to the booms going out. If anyone can point me in the direction of a super slippy line when wet I would appreciate it. Eric
Martin Brooking Posted May 3, 2023 Author Posted May 3, 2023 Hi Eric, that’s a great summary. Thank you for replying so comprehensively. I’ve gained a much better understanding over the course of this thread. There is a well stocked angling store only a mile or two from my home. Armed with the above I’m going to check out what they have available. I’ll report back if I find a good looking product.
Mike Ewart Posted May 4, 2023 Posted May 4, 2023 I exclusively use fishing line for sheeting systems standing rigging and running rigging varying from 30pound for sheeting on smaller boats topping lifts etc,80 pound line for winch lines backstays, and a 300 pound line for shrouds on bigger boats A class and 6 metres for shrouds I normally prestretch by hanging a sledge hammer on the shrouds for a week or so 2 Mike Ewart
Eric Finley Posted May 4, 2023 Posted May 4, 2023 Martin Up until now I have been using Penn Wave Blaster Dynabraid for winch lines (80 Lb), this is no longer available. It is not as thin as say Berkley Whiplash 8 which I have recently purchased to try as a replacement. The 103 Lb version of this line is listed as 0.28mm and should be a reasonable replacement for winch line. I am looking to see what lighter lines are available to use for sheeting on an IOM as will get away with a lighter breaking strain for this use so hopefully less drag on the booms in light air. I'm reasonably confident after a few sailing sessions it will loose the newness feel and become softer to the touch and if you only want a single line it could be used for sheets and attaching sails to the mast. I don't know where you live but inland the fishing shops I have visited don't seem to stock heavier breaking strain braid. May have better luck on the coast. I have therefore ended up resorting to the internet to obtain supplies. If you find a suitable braid a 150M reel will last a long time (I think I have given as much away as used on my boats). Happy Hunting, Eric 1
Stephen B Posted May 4, 2023 Posted May 4, 2023 (edited) Cutting spectra, a joy without a knife or scissors, buy the electronic cord cutter from overseas supplier, for little money , easy to use, cut and melts a blob end, to stop knots unravelling, and less sticky glue fingers. was at a fishing store near the club and they only went to low weights, you need coastal fishing shops, and on line is as good, IMHO. Edited May 4, 2023 by Stephen B 1
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