Emuparadise

A good sailboat halyard rope can make a difference to your sailing. It will also save you money and hassle.

When it comes to a new halyard, you have plenty of choices from basic polyester double-braid to all-new high-tech fibers. Which one will you choose depends on a number of factors including price, stretch, weight and ease of handling.

Double Braided Polyester

Double Braided Polyester combines the strength of Nylon with the stretch and elasticity of polyester. It also retains its strength when wet, has a high melting point, and has excellent resistance to abrasion and UV light exposure.

This type of rope is used for a wide range of halyards, sheets and trimmings. This durable and long-lasting line has a round and stable braiding, which ensures that it remains in stoppers and clutches.

Depending on your sailing application, you may need different types of halyard line. A halyard for a roller-furling jib that’s left in place all season requires a lower-stretch halyard line, while a genoa sheet that’s frequently adjusted hand-controlled might require more elongation.

Halyards are a common source of damage to rigging, so it’s important to use the right line material for your boat and your needs. We offer a variety of high-tech lines, low-stretch control lines, and durable cruising lines.

Polyester (Dacron) Double Braid

Polyester (Dacron) double braid has been a popular choice for sailboat halyard rope and many other applications for decades. It’s long-lasting, resistant to ultraviolet radiation, and costs a fraction of a high-tech line.

It also stretches less than nylon, which is ideal for some applications. It is lightweight and easy to handle.

In addition, it resists abrasion. It’s also good against UV degradation and can withstand exposure to sunlight and heat.

For upwind sail halyards under static loads, like permanently hoisted roller-furling headsails or stripped, it’s best to use a low-creep core material such as HMPE or LCP. This will prevent the gradual loss of luff tension as the season progresses and can add life to your sails.

Polyester (Dacron) Single Braid

Polyester (Dacron) single braid is a workhorse on many cruising boats, a durable and long-lasting choice for most onboard applications. It is also resistant to ultraviolet radiation, which makes it an ideal halyard line for all-weather sailing and a good replacement for traditional double-braided rope.

In addition to being a low-stretch line, it is lightweight for ease of handling in small spaces, and it is very strong. It can be used for a variety of applications, including camping, tent lines, and cargo tie-downs.

It is often a good idea to upgrade the halyard to a low-stretch fiber, especially if you’re considering an expensive new sail. This will allow you to use your sails fully and prolong their life by minimizing halyard stretch.

Nylon

Nylon is a popular choice for sailboat halyards because it offers excellent strength, shock absorption, UV resistance and a comfortable feel. It is also economical.

If you need a lightweight rope with less stretch, consider one of the many new synthetic fibers used in rigging. Dyneema, Stirotex, and SK-90 (pre-stretched, heat-treated) offer high strength, low stretch, nearly zero creep, and great durability.

Another alternative is Colligo Dux, a pre-stretched, heat-treated type of Dyneema that has been specially designed for use in standing rigging. This rope has excellent abrasion resistance, is lightweight and floats; it’s not as good for running rigging but it’s an acceptable substitute for 7 x 19 wire.

There are other options for sailing ropes, including polyester and Spectra, which offer better performance than conventional nylon. The important thing is to know your needs and choose the best line for each job at the lowest cost. Buying quality rope will pay off in fewer repairs and long service life.