A Study of LINES

[multimedia_smith]

I recently took some time to investigate a new mainsheet line... I was surprised to learn that there was so much to learn...  After doing a lot of research I had an outfit send me various samples (it's all well and good to read about them, but it helps to get the feel). 

I wound up getting the 8mm (5/16) "BUZZ Line" from New England rope (spelled BZZZ).  I was concerned about getting the larger diameter, but the BZZZ flies through the blocks and easily sheets out the main even in light air.  I bought it from the outfit that sent me the samples... but y'all can get it cheaper here... if you're interested:
http://stores. ebay.com/ Milwaukee- Rigging

Here's another great link:

http://stores. ebay.com/ Discount- Rope-and- Line

I bought some Samson Ultra light 3/8 to replace my halyards from the Discount Rope Store... it doesn't absorb water and is super light and strong... (they had a 100' piece for $27 so that's really cheap) They have the BZZZ 8mm for $.47 per foot (well below market)

I made the mistake of buying a bunch of stay set for everything (all sheets) and wanted to get a main sheet in a different color than the foresail sheets... (there was always this mass of blue lines in the cockpit).

Really happy with the new line... soft on the hand... doesn't tangle... sheets out well...
A noticeable difference for very little money... gotta love sailboats!

Enjoy
Dale

Here's a review by Jim Young,
http://www.jimyoung sailing.com/ g_rnl.htm# sheets
Some recommendations: (Prices are a bit better than per foot on most of these because I make them in batches ahead of time for many dinghies, not per order.)
~ Catamarans, use 8mm Bzzz for boats up through 18'', and for larger boats, 20ft+, use 9.5mm Salsa. (These are smaller diameters than most cat sailors think of as normal, but they really grip easily, in both the hands and the cleat, and its truly wonderful have a mainsheet line that plays out so easily when its time to sheet out.) You need to custom-order your own length, which varies not only from boat to boat, but with individual mast rake as well.

Are you looking for the perfect dinghy sheet? Single braid construction makes Bzzz Line kink-free, while the unique combination of filament and spun polyester with multi-filament polypropylene makes it soft on the hand, lightweight, and buoyant. Unlike other single braids that flatten out after time or squish too much in cleats, Bzzz Line retains its round shape, allowing for better grip and ease of cleating. In addition to dinghy sheets, Bzzz Line works well on larger boats for traveler control lines and mainsheet fine-tunes.
Buy with confidence! This is brand new New England Ropes pn 1696-08, 8mm , White with  Yellow Flecks ( see image ) - heat whipped on both ends. At Milwaukee Rigging, we always tell you the make and model number of the rope we use, so you know exactly what you're getting! If you are not sure, email us to ask for a sample.
Detailed technical info on Bzzz Line:  New England Ropes Bzzz™ Line 

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Summary: One length, 8mm Bzzz Line by New England Ropes - Specify Quantity as length in feet.

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Shipping: Calculations for shipping are made as thus: $5.00 for the first foot, and 0.03 per foot thereafter. Example: 100 ft purchase would be $5.00 plus (99 x 0.03) 2.97 = $7.97. We discount shipping for multiple items.
See our other listings, or email me and I will post other lengths, diameter or color of Salsa Line. Milwaukee Rigging can also provide custom length halyards with eyesplice and shackle for spinnaker, headsail and mainsail halyards, as well as topping lifts. Check out our Milwaukee Rigging Ebay store

  •  Milwaukee Rigging LLC - Running Rigging Specialists   •   




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[Salty19]

Hi Dale

Thanks for the review and all the other things you've posted.  I've been running the 7mm Bzzz lines as genoa sheets this year with success on a CP16. You are right they are easy to handle, resist knotting and cleat off well.  Also using the 8mm Salsa for the mainsheet the past three seasons. It's also a nice line with similar feel to the Bzzz.  These are nice sheet lines for any sailboat!

 

[Craig Weis]

The BZZZy line sounds like delightful lines. Remember the smaller the boat the faster things happen in terms of coming about, or directional change or flopping over or jibing. So you'll want to be Johnny on the spot and not lulled asleep like some aeroplane pilots. LOL. 110 miles, it's only about 10 minutes at 300 mph. Anyway it's there job to fly the plane, unless they want me to go fwd and do it.

I use three halyards, Main, Fwd, and Spinnaker. All Sta-set, all through line organizers and all to rope clutches.

Sheet for Main is the normal white Sta-set, Just like Hutchins supplied. But the block at the end of the boom is in line, not side by side so that block can not wind up or tangle up or twist on the end of the boom.

Sheet for fwd lapper sail is Sta-set in Blue and is an extra ten foot in length and knotted through the clew. Allows me to winch from the high side [windward side] of the hull and not the low side [lee side] of the hull if I want to.

Sheet for the Spinnaker is Sta-set red on port side of sail and green on starboard side of sail. What ever grommet that is not used for the sheet becomes the tac at the bow pulpit. And that is a Q/D on a rubber strap to obsorb the jolt when the spinnaker fills and collapses. Neither sheet ever comes off but lays limp and un used. I cleat the sheets off the two stern cleats.

Added some Chris Craft stainless steel rub bars on the top-o-combing by the winches to prevent the sheets from sawing into my fiberglass as the sheets bend over the combing edge coming out of the traveler blocks.
skip.

[Salty19]

Skip, having read a lot of your posts and knowing you've helped built some of the finest vessels available, I can promise you that you will not be dissapointed with the quality of Bzzz or Salsa lines.

All my lines are a different color. Salsa mainsheet (white, red, yellow, green), blue/white Bzz jib sheets, red trophy halyard, white furling line, green Amsteel topping lift.  OK my downhaul is also white.  Looks like christmas but easy to identify lines in a hurry.

[BruceW]

Now I finally know what jibs I have, I'll need at least one, maybe two sheet lines.

For CP 23, 130%, I think I'll need 60 feet; that sound right?

For 90%, going to try out my current line, see if it fits. It's not that good, but it's what I have. I might order both at once when I figure out what lengths.  Are you guys still happy with the BZZZ?

I figure I'll table use of the furler indefinitely, and who knows if I ever try the spin.

Thanks in advance,

Bruce

[Salty19]

Yes, the Bzzz lines are really nice.  They don't hockle (jam/knot themselves), are easy on the hands-soft to the touch yet plenty of grip is available, lie nicely, and are very strong. They have some stretch, but that's desirable for sheets on cruising boats. Nothing like the stretch of a 3-strand nylon mind you, but good for wear on sail tacks. My only complaint is UV fades the color stripes pretty quickly. I use 8m Bzzz for a 110% jib and would replace with the same if needed.

I ran the Salsa on my old 16's main, and immediately put it on the mainsheet for the 19 five years ago.  Great line, highly recommend. Similar to Bzzz in feel and handling, but little UV degradation, and maybe more compliant.  It's in pretty good shape considering the use.  I had West Marine splice it to the main sheet block becket.  These are single braids.

I also like the FSE Robline Racing sheet Pro. Probably more than the Bzzz line, and about the same as Salsa. Which is odd because it's a double braid.
So I vote Salsa or FSE Racing Sheet Pro if you want easy to handle and strong.  Disclaimer: There are so many lines it's hard to say of they are nicer than others, and I while I do try different lines, I'm not an expert.

For a big genoa sail, check out Flightline. It's a double braid, real lightweight, doesn't absorb water, and softens up once it gets some use. The lightweight line helps the sail shape in light winds. A good line for a drifter (where I'm using it) or a spinnaker.

Another nice line is the NE Eurobraid, but I wouldn't use it for sheets, more for control lines as it doesn't stretch much and is $$$.

In case you hadn't though of it, it's not a bad idea to choose different color lines for everything. Makes it easier to ID lines, especially for crew.

I'm thinking 5/16 or 8mm is the right width but 23 owners might know differently.  Lengths...no clue.

[MacGyver]

I am a big New England ropes fan. Everything on my 19 is NER and they still look new after being in the weather 2 years.

I mainly posted here though to agree with Salty on the color coding. My main halyard is Red with white fleck, then I got white with red fleck for the Main sheet. Same with my Jib halyard, the Jib Halyard is Green with white fleck, then the jib sheet is white with green fleck. That way it is easy to identify the pairs. makes setting up the boat easier as well.
My dock lines are black with white fleck, and the furler line is possibly going to be blue with white fleck...... I think.

My main halyard and Jib halyards run respective to port and starboard when run back to the cockpit, which is a nice touch I think.
Just besure the lines pass through the blocks cleanly, and when underway and all hell breaks loose, you can quickly yell to a passenger "Release the red line!" and down comes the main. I think that the benefit to having easily identifiable lines helps to keep our brain on the necessary thoughts like "what do I do now" while assessing the situation, not having to think about what rope to grab if they were all the same colors...... which I have seen before.....

Mac

PS, I think New England Ropes name is Sta-Set

[BruceW]

Thanks, Mac,

I am thinking that I will get a genoa sheet that is different; maybe as I replace halyards I'll continue the coding. I do know my main and jib halyard are the same thing as my mainsheet. The owner installed spinnaker halyard is white with green flecks, and the jib sheet I am going to try on my 90% is black. I could see your point about telling people which line to pull.

Sta-set is something I have heard of.

Bruce

[MaritimeElevation]

I also give the thumbs up to Bzzz lines. I have them for both main and jib sheets an my CP-16. I also used them on my previous small boat, an O'Day 17. They handle very well. My only complaint is that they cannot be spliced.

[Salty19]

Try the Salsa lines..better feel then Bzzz and they can be spliced!

[Bob23]

Salty:
   Are those Salsa lines mild or hot? They look hot...where's the tortillas?
Ole!

[Salty19]

Definitely hot and spicy, Bob!  Just the way Island Time likes it!

Ariba!

[BruceW]

I like that Island Time boat name; I might just pirate it for my CP 23. I have an acquaintance around here who has a Mac 26 named Private Island. Dang if I can come up with better ideas on my own.

Ariba, indeed!