Boat halyard and boat sheet : How to choose them ?
Halyards and sheets for boats, how to choose your current maneuvers ?
Choosing the right halyards and sheets is an essential step for the equipment of your sailboat. Indeed, it is necessary to know its maximum breaking load, its resistance, its diameter and its length. In addition, there are 3 types of halyards and 3 types of sheets, respectively named genoa, mainsail, spinnaker.
What size of halyards and sheets for boats ?
|
Length (in meters) |
Halyard |
Sheet |
|
Genoa |
Mast height x3 |
Boat length x1.5 |
|
Mainsail |
Mast height x3 |
Length of the boat x1.5 |
|
Spinnaker |
Mast height x2.5 |
Length of the boat x2 |
What breaking load for your halyards?
Before buying, think about calculating the breaking load you need on your sailboat to order the right product. For this, the following formula will be very useful:
Sail area (m²) x Wind speed² (in knots) x 0.021 = Working load (in daN) x 5 = Breaking load
Zero elongation for your halyards and sheets?
Indeed, halyards and sheets must not be able to stretch when pulled as they must remain under high tension to maintain your sail. You understand that these common maneuvers must be installed in order to bring a great stability to favor the transmission of the energy accumulated thanks to the wind. Finally, depending on your sail model and its characteristics, it is important to respect a good adequacy between it and the fiber composing the rope.
For your information, the average elongation of a halyard or sheet is :
- From 4% to 7% for a polyester fiber rope such as the (6%).
- Less than 1% for a dyneema fiber end
So you can see that the percentage for this parameter is and should be as low as possible.
How to determine the weight of your halyard or sheet?
The weight per meter of rope is indicated in the size guides of the product sheets. For some of your current maneuvers, it is important not to exceed a certain weight to avoid a too heavy load, in particular from a spinnaker halyard which would slow down the inflation of your sail and thus your progress at sea. The 2 other types of halyards are less affected by this parameter.
Which halyard for the competition ?
Among the } on our site, you can find common maneuvers allowing you to ensure during your competitions or regattas. Indeed the or even the are high performance technical ropes with a dyneema core that offers extraordinary strength and very low stretch.
Which halyard or sheet diameter for your boat?
|
|
Halyard diameter (in mm) |
|
Sheet diameter (in mm) |
||||
|
Length of the boat in meters |
Spinnaker |
Genoa |
Mainsail |
Spinnaker |
Genoa |
Mainsail |
|
|
6 to 8 m |
Ø8 |
Ø8 |
Ø8 |
Ø10 |
Ø10 |
Ø10 |
|
|
9 m |
Ø8 |
Ø10 |
Ø10 |
Ø10 |
Ø12 |
Ø10 |
|
|
10 m |
Ø10 |
Ø10 |
Ø10 |
Ø10 |
Ø14 |
Ø12 |
|
|
11 m |
Ø10 |
Ø12 |
Ø12 |
Ø12 |
Ø14 |
Ø12 |
|
|
12 m |
Ø12 |
Ø12 |
Ø12 |
Ø12 |
Ø14 |
Ø12 |
|
|
14 m |
Ø12 |
Ø12 |
Ø12 |
Ø14 |
Ø14 |
Ø12 |
|
|
16 m |
Ø12 |
Ø14 |
Ø12 |
Ø14 |
Ø14 |
Ø14 |
|
|
18 m |
Ø14 |
Ø14 |
Ø14 |
Ø14 |
Ø14 |
Ø14 |
|
|
24 m |
Ø16 |
Ø16 |
Ø16 |
Ø16 |
Ø16 |
Ø16 |
|
Which fiber for your halyard or sheet ?
The main fibers that make up the webs and sheaths of the current rigs mentioned in this guide are polyester and dyneema. This is why you will find a wide range of products made of these fibers.
- Polyester: the most used fiber
Polyester is indeed widely used for the manufacture of ropes. Some models are pre-stretched and heat stabilized such as . Its quick drying, flexibility and tolerance to UV rays make it an ideal material that does not float.
- Dyneema: the new technology for your racing
Dyneema is considered the revolutionary fiber because it has a very low elongation rate. Also called High Modulus Polyethylene, it is used in the manufacture of tension and maneuvering ropes.
Moreover, its high breaking strength and unconditional lightness (7 times lighter than steel) make it the ideal fiber when performance at sea is required. Moreover, its performance is due to the fact that it is perfectly adapted to the aquatic environment, since in addition to all these elements already mentioned, this fiber is UV resistant, fatigue resistant, hydrophobic (therefore buoyant) and allows to reduce the diameter of your maneuvers. Its price is therefore more important than polyester.
Nevertheless, take the precaution of checking that your self-tailing and jammers are compatible in case of a reduction in the diameter of your rope.
For more information and advices, don't hesitate to use the chat or contact us by phone at 04.78.41.79.31 !
The Nautisports team
