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Instructions Title

Rope Size & Selection

Line Suggestions & Recommendations

Since 1967, New England Ropes has built and maintained its reputation as the leading manufacturer of premium quality rope, proudly servicing more
markets than any other rope company. Made in New England, its the most innovative product available, woven from the finest first-class fiber and
designed and tested in a place with some of the worlds most notoriously harsh conditions. Not only do New England Ropes feel smoother, perform
better, and last longer, they are guaranteed to be completely free of manufacturing defects. This level of quality and performance allows you to
concentrate on what really matters: the unyielding thrill of the open sea. If New England rope can withstand everything from daunting mountain peaks to
ruthless seas, you know you can trust it to perform in your world. Every time. Without exception. Performance Guaranteed.

ROPE FIBERS TENSILE STRENGTH & WORKING LOADS

NYLON: Use for applications where strength and shock absorption are Tensile strength is the load at which a new rope, tested under laboratory
important, such as dock and anchor lines. conditions, can be expected to break. Rope strength is the approximate
average for new rope tested under ASTM test method D-6268. To
POLYESTER: Use where strength, low stretch, and durability are key, like
estimate the minimum tensile strength of a new rope, reduce the
most running rigging applications.
approximate average by 20%. Age, usage, and type of termination used
HMPE & ARAMIDS (Dyneema® & Kevlar®): Very high performance fibers (i.e., knots) will significantly lower tensile strengths.
exhibiting very high strength and extremely low stretch for a higher price
The Cordage Institute specifies that the safe working load of a rope
tag. Generally found on very serious racing sailboats and larger yachts
is determined by dividing the minimum tensile strength by the ropes
for running rigging.
safety factor. Safety factors range from 5 to 12 for non-critical uses. The
POLYPROPYLENE: Use where lightweight or very low cost is important working load is a guideline for rope in good condition used in non-critical
such as light air spinnaker sheets or barrier rope for swimming. applications. The load should be reduced where life, limb, or valuable
property are involved or where exceptional shock, sustained loading, or
F I BER T Y PE S T RE N GT H S T RE TCH U V RES I S TA N CE CO S T severe vibration may be experienced.

Nylon High High Good Moderate

WHAT SIZE LINE?
Polyester High Low Good Moderate
The size and type of line depends on a number of factors including length
HMPE Very High Very Low Good Very High of boat. The following information is intended as a guide only. Docking in
Aramids Very High Very Low Fair Very High exposed water, strong winds, or tides may require larger or additional lines.
Polypropylene Low High Poor Very Low Heavy, well-ballasted cruising boats need heavier lines than lighter
cruiser/racers of similar length. Also, increased wind due to greater
freeboard and top hamper in exposed locations requires making lines
heavier. Always make sure that cleats, as well as cleats ashore, are able
ROPE CONSTRUCTION to handle the diameter of the line. It is better to double up a 3/8" or 1/2"
DOUBLE BRAID: A braided core inside a braided cover produces an line than try to cleat a 5/8" or 3/4" line on too small a cleat.
easy-to-handle rope that is strong and very durable.
PARALLEL CORE: A patented unidirectional fiber core with a braided LI NE S I ZE RECO M M EN DAT I O N S
cover produces a line with significantly less stretch and greater strength
BOAT LE N GT H D O CK L I N ES A N CH O R L I N ES MOORING
than the same size double braid line. Ideal for halyards, sheets, and guys PE N DA N T
where low stretch is required.
0'–20' 3/8" Sailrite Enterprises, Inc. 1/2"
3/8"
SINGLE BRAID: A flexible and supple construction that absorbs twist and
does not kink. Perfect for mainsheets, furling lines, and large dock lines.
2390 East 100 South, Columbia City, IN 46725
20'–30' 1/2" 1/2" 5/8"
3 STRAND: A special stabilization process and a four-stage, balanced 30'–35' 1/2" Phone1/2"(800) 348-2769 / (260)
3/4" 244-4647
construction produce a durable, long-lasting, flexible, and easy-to-handle 35'–40' 1/2"
Fax 5/8"(260) 818-2005 7/8"
rope that won’t harden with age. Ideal for anchor, dock, mooring, and tow Email info@sailrite.com
lines, and for running rigging on traditional cruising boats. 40'–45' 5/8" 3/4" 1"
45'–55' 5/8" Sailrite.com
7/8" 1"
55'–65' 3/4"
© 2015 Sailrite Enterprises,1-1/4"
1"
Inc.
Instructions Title 2
HOW MUCH LINE? REPLACE WIRE HALYARDS WITH ALL ROPE HALYARDS
Genoa sheets are generally 1.5 times the length of a boat. For non-overlapping Rope halyards are easier to handle and significantly lighter than wire halyards.
jibs, one boat length is usually enough. Spinnaker sheets are usually twice the Sta-Set X is an ideal replacement for wire halyards on cruising yachts and
length of a boat. We recommend measuring all other running rigging. V-100 or T-900 for race boats and large cruising yachts.

W IRE HALYARD REPL ACEM EN T GU I DE

7 x 19 Wire 1/8" 5/32" 3/16" 7/32" 1/4"

Sta-Set X 5/16" 3/8" 7/16" 1/2" 9/16"
T-900 1/4" 1/4" 5/16" 3/8" 7/16"

CHOOSING THE CORRECT LINE APPL I CAT I O N T Y PE O F BOAT S I Z E (FEE T )

SA I L I N G
STEP #1 Choose application.

STEP #2 Choose type of sailing. 0 –15 15 – 2 0 20 –25 25 –30 30 –35 35 – 40 40 – 45 45 – 50

M A I N S H EE T Cruising  5/16"  5/16"  3/8"  3/8"  7/16"  7/16"  1/2"  1/2"
STEP #3 Select boat size.
Club Racing  5/16"  5/16"  3/8"  3/8"  3/8"  3/8"  7/16"  7/16"
STEP #4 Match color code for the best selection and
diameter of line for given application. J I B S H EE T Cruising  1/4"  5/16"  5/16"  3/8"  3/8"  7/16"  7/16"  1/2"
To upgrade, modify "Type of Sailing." In most cases,
Club Racing  1/4"  5/16"  5/16"  3/8"  3/8"  3/8"  7/16"  7/16”
choosing a better performing line will substantially
lower the stretch and allow you to reduce diameter S PI N S H EE T Cruising  1/4"  1/4"  5/16"  5/16"  3/8"  3/8"  7/16"  7/16"
by 10–15%. The net result will be a lightweight, low-
stretch line that will control sail shape more precisely. Club Racing  1/4"  1/4"  5/16"  5/16"  3/8"  3/8"  3/8"  5/16”

LIGHT AIR Cruising Ù 3/16" Ù 3/16"  1/4"  1/4"  1/4"  5/16"  3/8"  3/8"
S PI N S H EE T S
 Sta-Set Ù Spyderline Club Racing Ù 3/16" Ù 3/16"  1/4"  1/4"  1/4"  5/16"  3/8"  3/8"
 Sta-Set X  Flight Line T R AVE LLER Cruising  1/4"  1/4"  5/16"  5/16"  5/16"  3/8"  3/8"  3/8"
 Regatta Braid  VPC
Club Racing  1/4"  1/4"  5/16"  5/16"  5/16"  3/8"  3/8"  3/8"
 T-900
AF T ER GU Y Cruising N/A N/A N/A N/A  5/16"  3/8"  7/16"  1/2"

Club Racing N/A N/A N/A N/A  5/16"  3/8"  7/16"  1/2"

M A I N HA LYARD Cruising  1/4"  5/16"  5/16"  3/8"  3/8"  7/16"  7/16"  1/2"

Club Racing  1/4"  1/4"  5/16"  5/16"  3/8"  3/8"  7/16"  7/16"

J I B HA LYARD Cruising  1/4"  5/16"  5/16"  3/8"  3/8"  7/16"  7/16"  1/2"

Club Racing  1/4"  1/4"  1/4"  5/16"  5/16"  3/8"  3/8"  7/16"

S PI N HA LYARD Cruising  1/4"  1/4"  5/16"  5/16"  5/16"  3/8"  3/8"  7/16"

Club Racing  1/4"  1/4"  1/4"  1/4"  5/16"  5/16"  3/8"  7/16"

S PI N N AK ER Cruising  3/16"  3/16"  1/4"  5/16"  5/16"  3/8"  3/8"  7/16"

TO PPI N G L I F T
Club Racing  3/16"  3/16"  1/4"  1/4"  5/16"  5/16"  5/16"  3/8"

FO RE GU Y Cruising  3/16"  3/16"  1/4"  3/8"  3/8"  3/8"  3/8"  7/16"

Club Racing  3/16"  3/16"  1/4"  1/4"  5/16"  3/8"  3/8"  7/16"

Sailrite Enterprises, Inc.

2390 East 100 South, Columbia City, IN 46725
Phone (800) 348-2769 / (260) 244-4647
Fax (260) 818-2005
Email info@sailrite.com
Sailrite.com

© 2015 Sailrite Enterprises, Inc.