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What size lines to use on my sailboat?

6K views 10 replies 10 participants last post by  jaschrumpf 
#1 ·
Hello! I recently purchased a 1967 Islander Bahama 24. She is beautiful, but needs to have most all lines installed. How do I decide what diameter/what type of lines to get? Thanks for your help!
 
#4 ·
Hi and welcome aboard.

You may want to talk to a shop that sells running rigging as there is more to it than just diameter. Different types of line have different strengths and strech ratios. I recently replaced all my 3/8" diameter halyards with 5/16" lines made of Dyneema which has higher ultimate strength and less strech than the old lines. West Marine has a pretty good guide to lines in their catalog that would give you a pretty good place to start.

St Anna is right too, you have to use a diameter that will fit the sheeves too.
 
#8 ·
What you need, is nothing more than 1/4" diameter. What feels good in your hand is up to you and your crew. I use line from 7/64th to 3/8th on my 25 footer, but most of that has to do with low stretch and low weight. If you're not concerned with that, then buy a spool of 3/8th sta-set and be done with it. Use it for the whole boat. Not a great line, but it works.
 
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