Question about halyard and line colors

[drlove]

Do you just use plain Sta-set or XLS for sheets then?

[sailingdog]

Sta-Set is pretty good...it depends on whether you want low-stretch halyards or not. If you have dacron sails, don't bother with anything better than staset.

[CaptKermie]

Well, there are different reasons folks have for different colored lines. I my case I have a blue hull, close to pacific blue therefore all canvas is pacific blue as are fenders and other accessories. Halyards and sheets are white whereas traveller lines and rollerfiurler are blue with white tracers and boomvang and topping lift are white with blue tracers and so on, you get the idea blue & white color theme throughout. I have seen boats with black trim on the hull & deck who use black & white color theme throughout the running lines. It helps differentiate the different lines as well as color coordinate everything. Yes, it is the Admirals boat too and it really shows on the interior.

[blt2ski]

I've got generally speaking blue for the main, green for spinaker, red for jibs, other colors of appropriate line for other tuning/reefing for the main etc.

Along with the appropriate cam cleats marked with what they are for etc too.

It helps the admiral, she like things color coded, and the interior is really nice as Kermie points out too.

I am using XLS extra extra? the lowest stretch of the three options for halyards, and sheets, lower grade for none stretch needs. Then I am now running carbon or one step below sails all around too!

Marty

[drlove]

I am going to go with a low stretch halyard choice to replace a wire to rope halyard setup (yes I know about checking the sheaves and halyard exit points). I will use a low stretch line so I can go smaller diameter. However for sheets, smaller diameter is not necessary and since the lines are handled more frequently, larger lines are usually more comfortable. Plus the sheets are not nearly as long as a halyard so combined with a shorter length plus larger diameter for handling, needing a high tech line to control stretch is not so much of an issue. I am leaning towards Crystalyne for halyards and XLS for sheets.

[mangomadness]

I ordered my running rigging from Halls spars. They gave me an even better discount than what is listed. With a little research you can buy scrap cordage from this hyperlink for a fraction of the price. Some places may offer better deals on cordage, but not likely. I am no way affilated with them, I'm just passing on a good find.

Hall Spars & Rigging | Scrap Rope

[J36ZT]

The only line that I've ever seen a specific color given has been boomvangs. This line is almost always black with some colored tracer. Otherwise, the only purpose in having different colored lines is for rapid identification, especially useful when you have novice crew.

Skipper, J/36 "Zero Tolerance"

[poopdeckpappy]

I kept it simple, sheets are Red w/white specks, halyards are white w/ red specks

[zz4gta]

Originally Posted by poopdeckpappy

I kept it simple, sheets are Red w/white specks, halyards are white w/ red specks

So there's no difference between main, jib, or spin halyards. Interesting, I can't do that with the monkeys I sail with. They need colors.

[poopdeckpappy]

My little monkeys are use to our last boat, Sheets were green w/ white specks, Halyards were white w/ green specks

Lots of colors and things that shine, are bad ju-ju for my crew