Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Yachts and Sail => Topic started by: pjwright on April 04, 2012, 12:35:27 am

Title: Recommended sheeting string?
Post by: pjwright on April 04, 2012, 12:35:27 am

Hey, guys - what's the preferred material for main and jib sheets with a sail winch?  I think I need something both slippery and supple so that as the winch unspools in light air the sails will pull the line rather than it bunching up in the winch housing.  Re-rigging a Chinese one-meter RTS kit.  I have a bit of 80# Spectra - but it feels too stiff.  A closed-loop system would solve my problem ... but virtually impossible to mount the two loop pulleys in one of these things.
Thanks!
 :-)
PJ

Title: Re: Recommended sheeting string?
Post by: andrewh on April 04, 2012, 08:01:43 am

PJ,

The necessary characteristics are strong, low friction and "soft"
Spectra is strong, but not a flexible material to wind onto drums
I use kite string (polyester) on footys, but there are lots of braided lines available in fishing shops which are ideal.  I have also found a braided, soft line in a jewellery hobby place which is braided XLPE (same material as Spectra) but very flexible (but a brute to tie or join)

let me know if a meter or two would help you
andrew

Title: Re: Recommended sheeting string?
Post by: malcolmfrary on April 04, 2012, 09:56:08 am

Venetian blind cord ticks the boxes pretty well.  Bends easily, low surface friction, virtually non stretch, available in various weights, and depending on where you find it, a range of colours.

Title: Re: Recommended sheeting string?
Post by: Popeye on April 04, 2012, 10:31:53 am

I use braided Dacron supplied by Graham Bantock (Google Sails etc). It's available in 0.7mm, 1.0mm and 1.2mm sizes.It's soft and supple yet VERY STRONG and is the ideal sheeting line - Bantock knows what he's selling, he was one time World model yachting champion and is still a leading racing yacht designer.

http://www.sailsetc.com/

Title: Re: Recommended sheeting string?
Post by: tigertiger on April 08, 2012, 09:20:08 am

Quote from: Popeye on April 04, 2012, 10:31:53 am

I use braided Dacron supplied by Graham Bantock (Google Sails etc). It's available in 0.7mm, 1.0mm and 1.2mm sizes.It's soft and supple yet VERY STRONG and is the ideal sheeting line - Bantock knows what he's selling, he was one time World model yachting champion and is still a leading racing yacht designer.

http://www.sailsetc.com/

Same here. Dacron on all my boats (incl a one meter). I use the 25kg for the running rigging, and 50-60 kg for standing rigging.
Whatever you use, make sure it is not stretchy, especially if you are going to use it for standing rigging.