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Sonata Sailing

National One-design Cruiser/Racer

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Furling Line Diameter

27th August 2020

Blackdan

Posted August 27, 2020

I am about to change my furling  line.My present one is 5/16 but feel 1/4 inch should be big enough.Any comments?

  • 4 weeks later…

Mark Taylor

Posted September 25, 2020

It is very unlikely that you would ever break a furling line at 1/4 or even less, depending on the material.

One consideration if you are using it for reefing, not just furling, is whether the existing cleat will securely grip the smaller line. Nothing worse than a furling line that slips in the cleat as it will only happen when there is already lots of pressure in the sail, so the last thing you want is more sail being unfurled!

The bigger issue, particularly on small boats and if winches are not used, is whether the size of rope is too small to comfortably pull, considering also if you wear gloves or not when sailing. You might find 1/4 inch fine for strength but too painful to pull with bare hands

Mark

Blackdan

Posted September 29, 2020

Thank you Mark.What you say makes a lot of sense.

Filed Under: Archives, Forum Archive, IPB Archive

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