One might charge me with thread hijacking, but the above post provoked me doing it!
I am talking about cruising, not racing!
Re rigging with spectra would cost four to five times the cost of re rigging with double braid (db!) at Whithworth's prices. 10mm l am talking about.
Would the enormous price difference be justified in the case of a small cruiser?
I have sailed on 12 metre racing boats with ancient db halyards and sheets at least 8-10 years old, no worries in 45 knot winds.
The 10mm spectra's 245% more braking strain compared to Usacord 10mm db is wasted imo, on a small to medium sized cruiser. This spectra rope woud be stronger than some small yachts rigging.
If the db lasts for just 5 years, one would be able to re rig ones boat 4 to 5 times for the same cost. As db lasts longer than 5 years, my argument is more valid as spectra will not last 25 years+, imo.
One could use thinner 8mm spectra which is cheaper, but as a halyard, let alone sheet, would be close to like cheese cutting wire ripping ones gloves and hands apart.
For everyone, but especially a retired person without unlimited supplies of money, it is a hell of a difference between a 50 $ halyard and a 300 $ halyard.
If a supplier would be able to supply spectra for a 70-80% discount one would not hesitate, would he?
Until then l am going to suffer my miserable life with double braid ropes in my paws.
