Diameters of running rigging lines

[ellisonbg]

Hi,

I need to replace some of my lines (running rigging and such) and I am wondering what sizes (diameters) of lines I should use for things like:

* Downhaul
* Outhaul
* Traveler lines
* CB up/down lines

I will probably use something like Sta-Set for the lines.

Thanks!

Brian

[talbot]

I believe I use 1/4" Sta-Set for everything you list except the traveller. I tried a smaller diameter, but it was too hard to grab. I have used 5/16" Sta-Set for the traveller, which worked fine, although I recently replaced it with a 3/8" line.

The issue of how to rig the traveller is another topic, but briefly, the smaller diameter worked well with my complicated system that had purchase blocks port and starboard. Phil Root came over one day to swap some equipment and cracked up when he saw my spiderweb of lines and blocks at the transom. He said that in 20 years of racing, he had never needed a rig like that, and questioned whether the DS is an efficient enough hull to make use the adjustment range I had. Anyway, I'm experimenting now with the single larger line. Again, the larger size (same as the jib sheets) is easier to grab.

[talbot]

On closer inspection, I think the lines I said were 1/4" are actually slightly smaller. Whatever the next smaller size is.