[captmikem]

I replaced the wire on an Alden 54 with Rekman furling gear with a light Kevlar line. The wire was always getting meat hooks in it and was causing problems. The Kevlar with a Dacron covering was small and light. I had to splice a larger line to it after enough was used to wrap the drum as it was too small to handle, I spliced 7/16 inch Dacron, which gave a good purchase to grab. I could put this on a winch and ease it out easily, or luff a bit and bring it in with a winch. All in all it worked very well. I did the same with a 42 foot HR and again had no problems with it.