5/16" Line to Small for Halyard?

[Perithead]

I am looking to run my main halyard back to the cockpit on my Montgomery 17. I have few blocks that I would like to use that accommodate up to a 5/16" line. Does this line have enough strength to be used for this on a 17' sailboat?

From what I have read from various Google finds it should be fine. Just figured it wouldn't hurt to run it by Sailnet first....

What you think?

[PaulinVictoria]

I think mine are 3/8", so 5/16" would be fine on yours I think.

[celenoglu]

Generally the diameter of a rope is decided according to the handling characteristics than its load carrying capacity. 5/16 is more than enough to handle your loads. The only problem is you trying to pull the rope. If you are happy with it, use it.

[Faster]

Yes, 5/16 will be strong enough; as celenoglu indicated it might be a bit hard on the hands, but for halyard use that may not be a big deal.. you're not 'handling' it all the time like you would a sheet.

If it does become a problem you can always stitch on the cover from a 3/8 double braid line for the section from the tail to where the hoisted line meets the cleat (or buy 3/8 and strip the cover of the other half..).

[paulk]

What Faster said.

[Perithead]

Excellent! Exactly what I wanted to hear.

Thank you all!

[scotthenry]

I used 1/4" on my m17 and is was fine.

[zz4gta]

5/16" is fine. IMHO its more than enough. I use 1/4" halyards on my 25 footer.

[tap]

There's quite a range in how strong lines are and for halyards stretch matters a lot for top performance. The cheapest 5/16" rope you might by a hardware store isn't strong enough. But a low end sailing line like Samson LS or NE Sta-Set would be more than strong enough in 5/16". You'd be fine with 1/4". Racing dinghies with a main sail your size would use a high-tech line that's 3/16" or even 1/8".