Color-Coded Running Rigging

[ALX357]

'Thinking about changing out some (or all) of my running rigging, using differing color coded lines for identification.
It is not just for those guest crew, but for me too, esp. during set-up.
For novice crew, it is one thing to say, "pull the main halyard tighter", and get a confused look, then " ok, its the one to the left side of the spinlock, er clampy thing there. " as opposed to "pull the blue and white line tighter." then explain what it is and such, after you are trimmed and going good.

As well, after raising the mast, I'm standing by the mast holding five identical white lines, two pairs of which are the same line, pulling on them to see which, and looking straight up at the bright sky trying to make sure they are not twisted, up at the masthead.

Any sailors on here that like this idea ?
Although I might have ideas of what colors to use on which lines,
Are there any suggestions or schemes that work well for you ?

It doesn't help that I have added some bonus rigging. Bonus, not bogus, I hope.
Ok, there are both ends of the main halyard, which is led aft, but not while the mast has just been put up. Has to be rigged aft then.
And the aux. jib halyard, same, both ends.
Thats four lines to keep straight so far.
THen the jib wire hoist, which is an added thing, with its two ends, an easy one because it is amsteel thinner and different color already. (The boat has a CDI flex furler Genoa always rigged too).
Then the dedicated mast raising line, which I don't trust to have permanently attached at the jib-head, so it goes thru another block up there, and stays along the mast all the time, both ends when not using the gin-pole to raise the mast.
I have another line that doubles as a forestay back-up, attached in front of the furler, to the pulpit, and above the furler on a higher mast hound, its other end along the mast. It alternates as a sock hoist when using the Genoa sock.
Thats 8 to 10 lines stored along the mast when in road travel mode.

Yeah, I have considered using the same line for the occasional jib halyard as for the mast raising line, but the mast raising line is double cleated and secured at the exact position, and I am reluctant to be re-setting it when I use the jib. Might work on that anyway.

[March]

Hey, Alex.
I seem to remember having seen on e-Bay a company (based in Canada) that sells a set of the color-coded lines customized for a Mac. You can get the whole set of halyards for something like 200 bucks. I was thinking about replacing them all, but then mine are not old enough to warrant such an expenditure.
This ubiquitous company advertises every once in a while--it pops up under MacGregor

[Rob Robinson]

I'm preparing to swap out my factory lines and get some color as well! The tough question isn't where to get them (the fine folks at Kelly Hanson Marine have a nice kit available). The harder question (for me anyway ) are what colors to choose? Here is what Im thinking:

(These could stay White to be less flashy from afar, but perhaps with two different color tracers)
Mainsail Halyard
Headsail Halyard

(Keep these all the same - Solid color like Black would be easy to see and would match my Bimini)
Mainsheet
Traveller
Boom Vang
Outhaul

(Since these are sheets also go with more Solid colors and choose two different colors to keep separate)
Genoa Sheet
Spinnaker Sheet

Anyone else with thoughts on this? Perhaps red/green for port/starboard perhaps? Although that would require splitting the sheets - is that a good idea?

[ALX357]

Ya, it's Cajun Trading of Canada, and I have written them an email to get a quote on rigging lines.
The only thing is, their "package deals" were "made up" or priced to to fit standard Macs, without halyards-led-aft-to-the-cockpit, and without roller furl Genoas, and their sets were delux having really nice halyard clips inside eye-spliced ends.

I really don't need the hardware, already have all the swivel shackles etc., AND do have a roller furl Genoa, and halyards-led-aft, so I need longer lines, and wanted to get different colors than they had matched up to certain lines.
All of which I am sure they could do, but at adjusted prices not yet determined.
Awhile back, I had written them a request for adjusted prices, and found that once you are out of their discounted package pricing scheme, things seemed to get alot more expensive, quoted at per-the-foot prices, with alot more cost for the added length lines, and alot less reduction for omitting the hardware than expected. When they reply next week maybe I can get a handle on the adjusted cost.

[tangentair]

I was on an Ericson 32 that was all color coded and it was nice when I was told grab the blue and white down-haul and did not have to look or tray and trace the lines aloft. One thought on the jib/genoa sheets, if you do the half hitch in the middle sheet, (I do because it is quick and easy), it sometimes slips or if the line breaks your hosed. The Ericson had white w/red and green checked lines with clips spliced on the end, it looked like he did the splice himself but I didn't ask.

[Trav White]

My PO rigged colored lines aft. The main halyard is green, the jib halyard is red (I don't use, since I have a furler. can be used for safety forestay tied to the bow pulpit.) But he did use white line with red flecks for the jib. I am thinking about using white with green flecks for stbd jibsheet, and white with red flecks for port jibsheet. The main sheet is blue with white flecks.

[Terry]

And I thought I was the only one suffering from Malspectraphobia!
Since I have the blue hull, I have all lines matching in blue or white or combiations like blue with white tracers or white with blue tracers and of course different thicknesses for different rigging. I have seen red & green for port & starboard but it reminds me of christmas. I saw another guy replace all his rigging with various configurations of white & black for the white hull and it looked very enhancing which is why I followed suit with the blue theme. My own opinion is if you are going to use color coding stick to a theme that is in keeping with your boat colors and your boat wil stand out prettier than the rest. There are plenty of variations available to use along with varying thicknesses to provide a suitable coding system - you needn't use a hoard of gaudy colors. ? Hope I don't sound too uhh... you know what I mean.