26s main sail rope

[chadwiseman]

Looking to replace my hal yard.

Any recommendations on the length, size and type of rope?

Also as I’m rigging this for solo sailing, in the past when I’ve let go my halyard the sail hasn’t always dropped the entire way without me pulling on it.. wondering if I should have a line the riders up with the top of the main sail that i can use to pull the sail down from the cockpit once i release the halyard… thoughts or suggestions on how to properly rig this?

[Stickinthemud57]

Depends...

If your halyard leads to the cockpit, 66 feet will be ample (this is the length offered at Blue Water Yachts). "Factory length" is 60 feet.

I use 10mm low-stretch line. You can use a smaller diameter, but I like the 10mm because it fits my rope clutch properly and it's easier to get a grip on than smaller diameters.

I single-hand a lot, so can see why you would want to consider a downhaul, which is what you are describing (rope to pull the mainsail down). I rigged one up but have since removed it. It did not prevent me from having to go on deck to tie down the sail, and the downhaul rope was just one more rope to deal with, got fouled on occasion, and generally was not worth the hassle, IMO.

I would suggest you look into Sailcote or other such lubricant for the slugs on the mainsail and slug track on the mast. This should help the main drop sufficiently.

If you still want to run a downhaul, you will need a pulley at the base of the mast and another at the cockpit. I attached one to the lifeline stanchion. A small (i.e. 3mm) line will be sufficient.

[Be Free]

Make sure whatever you get will work in your clutch, pulleys, or any other rope handling/directing/organizing devices you already have. All of them have a minimum and a maximum diameter that they will accommodate. Make sure that the construction of the new rope will work with your gear as well. I have read reports of problems with clutches that won't hold on a properly sized synthetic rope.