im thinking about changing my headsail sheet ropes and the control line for the furler with Spectra rope possibly a smaller diameter as my current? Any reasonable comments appreciated cheers.

I will have self Taylor's!

my view is , stick with the double braid sheets .

may be of benefit for the furler , but like Jethro said , bit harder on the hands .

I agree; yes for the furler, no for the sheets with 10mm min - you still have to pull the lines hard and fast when tacking. But if you ever need to put the furling line in the self tailing jaws (they're "self tailers", SA - Taylors is a wine company!) they'll have to be the same diameter or the teeth won't hold the line. But with spectra and a decent furler you should never have to do that (probably not recommended anyways).

Why would you use spectra on the furling line?

I understand that the main benefit of spectra is the low stretch under load, the only time the furler line has load is if you are using it for reefing. When reefing the load is transferred to the line through the rolled sail so there is lots of "stretch" in the sail any way.

Spectra for halliards, runners etc yes, but I see no benefit for furling line or sheets and it will not necessarily last any longer than good quality double braid.

One positive of spectra on the furling line is it's smaller diameter means more length can be wound onto the drum giving more turns when furling. This would be the only reason I'd use it (but I don't have a furler).

cisco said..

Spectra for halliards, runners etc yes, but I see no benefit for furling line or sheets and it will not necessarily last any longer than good quality double braid.

+1

Unless you re a particularly hot & fast racing machine, but given you have a furling jib, keep it nice

Poods