YachtingRopes.com

1 - Current halyard

The most widely used reference is the current halyard - in terms of material and diameter. Especially if you do not have any complaints about the use and sailing properties (mostly due to the limited elongation).

2 - Diameter

In most cases, the diameter of the halyard clutch determines the maximum and minimum diameter of the halyard. Do not select the thinnest line because an older clutch may show wear which may result in slippage of the halyard. It is also not desirable to select the maximum diameter because the diameter of ropes - if free of tension - is a little bit more than what is indicated. In some cases this can be up to 10%. The diameter of ropes is measured when it is placed under tension with 20% of the breaking strength. Most ropes have a tendency to shrink a bit. The Dyneema lines as well as V-Profi do not have this problem. Also take into account self tailing winches.

3 - Elongation

Elongation is - next to diameter - the main feature of a halyard. The less elongation, the less the sail needs to be trimmed. The Dyneema and Vectran ropes have a very limited elongation up to 1-2,5% with a load of 20% of the breaking strength. Most polyester ropes have an elongation that is much higher and can go up to 10%. Bora is an exception and is a Polyester rope with the lowest elongation. Below is a chart in which the elongation is illustrated:

4 - Breaking Strength

Breaking Strength is a reasonable overrated property. Most ropes - when properly sized - will never break. The breaking strength however determines the elongation of the rope: a rope with a higher breaking strength will have a lower absolute elongation that the same rope with a smaller diameter. In all other cases, this property is clearly subordinate to the diameter and the elongation.

5 - Cover

The manual handling properties of the cover is not very important for a halyard because most yachts are equipped with winches and clutches. Properties such as abrasion resistance and slippage are important. The abrasion resistance is more important for a sheet while slippage is more importance for a halyard. Dynesport, D-Race and V-Profi are an excellent ropes that will hold great in clutches and winches. D-F1 and D-F2 hace no cover and will not slip at all. The abrasion resistance of the ropes is excellent. Bora and Meltemi as Polyester halyards also have good slippage and abrasion resistance properties.

6 - Weight

The weight of the halyard can be of interest - this usually depends on the sailor and his boat. Professional sailors will have an interest in weight. Dynesport, D-Race, Vactran and in particular D-F1 and D-F2 are very light in comparison with ropes such as the Polyester Bora and Meltemi.

7 - Colour

The colour of the rope is not only an esthetic criterion but also important for the UV radiation. White lines have little or no problems with UV radiation. Coloured ropes that are UV resistant usually are more expensive than white ropes because the material is more expensive and in some cases an extra step in the production process must be made. All of our lines are - depending on the cover - treated with different methods that protect against UV radiation so that, even after a few seasons the ropes still looks fine.

8 - Budget

And last-but-not-least the budget. Everyone has his own limitations. Dyneema ropes are compared with Polyester ropes relatively expensive. That does not mean that buying them is an irresponsible investment. Investing in Dynesport or D-Race will repay itself in the quality of sailing. The tension on the mainsail is much easier to maintain - also at strong winds. The weight of the halyard is relatively low so 30-meters is easier to handle when storing. Next to this, Bora - as the polyester line with the lowest elongation - and Meltemi are also an excellent solution with a high price / performance ratios.

9 - Summary

The following table summarizes the ropes and their properties.