Choosing the Right Flying Sail Sheets and Control Lines
There’s nothing better than downwind sailing with a spinnaker, cruising chute or other light weight flying sail. But when it comes to choosing the right sheets and control lines for these flying sails, there are a number key performance factors to consider as outlined in this report from Jimmy Green Marine.
Published 1 month ago, updated 4 weeks ago
How to choose the right flying sail sheet and control lines
Weight, strength, stretch and handling are the key performance indicators to consider for sheets and control lines. For the purposes of this article, we will consider flying sails to be split between two main categories: symmetrical spinnakers – flown with a guy reeved through a pole; and asymmetric spinnakers – flown from bowsprits or using top-down/straight-luff furlers.
Symmetrical spinnakers
These flying sails utilise a guy – to position the pole angle according to the point of sail – and a sheet for trimming. A single line may perform both functions depending on the current gybe. Guys can be quite heavily loaded when sailing closer to the wind on larger yachts. Consequently, having independent sheets and guys simultaneously attached to both tack and clew provides the opportunity for easier handling during manoeuvres.
Reduced sheet weight helps maintain optimal sail shape during lighter wind sailing. This can be achieved without reducing the line diameter by incorporating polypropylene or Dyneema into the line. For increased wind strengths, polyester will provide greater durability than polypropylene. Braid-on-braid construction polyester will provide sufficient strength and ideal handling, provided size guides are followed.
Polyester-covered lines with a Dyneema core upgrade are ideal for highly loaded guys. They provide greater pole trim consistency under variable load and improved break load safety. Polypropylene can be utilised in conjunction with Dyneema on dinghies and dayboats but is not recommended for higher-load lines. It may be worth considering a slightly larger diameter guy if permitted in your setup. This will provide additional grip in clutches and winches under high load.
Cruising
LIROS Herkules provides the benchmark for heat-set, low-stretch, abrasion-resistant, braid-on-braid polyester sheets and guys on cruising yachts. LIROS EVO is a slightly more economical option for lighter-duty use. Both provide excellent handling in winches and generally on deck. For smaller boats, LIROS Magic Sheet – featuring a polypropylene core for reduced weight – or Marlow Excel Pro are both excellent. Larger yachts over 30ft may consider a cruising Dyneema upgrade to LIROS Dynamic Plus or Marlow D2 Club for higher strength.
Racing performance
Weight, strength and stretch are always important to the racing sailor. Lines with a Dyneema core are required to improve strength and reduce weight. On dinghies and smaller sports boats, Marlow Excel Fusion provides a blended combination of polypropylene and Dyneema for ultimate performance in light airs. LIROS Magic Pro is an option for sailing in higher wind strengths, with a polyester cover for greater abrasion resistance. On larger yachts, LIROS Racer and Marlow D2 Club are the standard bearers for reliable performance. LIROS is particularly good for sheets, with a highly abrasion-resistant 32-plait cover. For extreme performance, look at LIROS Control XTR or Marlow GP78, which both incorporate Technora blended covers. All the lines mentioned above are suitable for tapering and further weight reduction.
Asymmetrical spinnakers
Sometimes referred to as A-sails, these sails do not require a guy, as the tack is fixed to deck gear or via a ‘tack line’. Historically reserved for racing sailors, the introduction of flying-sail furlers in the cruising market has increased their popularity. Tack lines are not subject to high loads but still require sufficient strength to minimise stretch. Therefore, Dyneema cores are often favoured.
The redundant sheet on any particular gybe needs to be long enough to travel forward around the forestay from the clew, and then aft to a stern quarter block. Rapid sheeting is required to set the sail on the new gybe, so reduced friction in the system and abrasion resistance of the sheet are key.
Fast and free handling is achieved by reducing the line diameter and using tapered sections from the clew to the winch to reduce weight further for the racing minded.
Cruising
Braid-on-braid construction, heat-set polyester lines such as LIROS Herkules and Marlow Blueocean remain excellent choices for cruising performance. On larger sails, upgrade to cruising Dyneema such as Dynamic Plus on the tack line to improve performance. For smaller dayboats and dinghies, LIROS Magic Sheet provides excellent lightweight performance and grip.
Racing performance
Racing yachts require Dyneema cores for asymmetic sheets. The high strength allows for a reduced line diameter, which contributes to reduced friction in deck gear, resulting in faster sheeting.
Dyneema cores also provide the option to taper the line and reduce weight further. The 32-plait polyester cover used on LIROS Racer is ideal for rapid sheeting demands. For elevated abrasion resistance, choose a cover with a polyester/ Technora blend such as Marlow GP78. For further enhanced strength, LIROS Control XTR also features an upgraded Dyneema SK99 core for additional strength and virtually zero stretch.
There are multiple options for the dinghy and dayboat racer. Marlow Excel Fusion remains a firm favourite, owing to its lightweight polypropylene and Dyneema blended cover. LIROS Dynasoft is the alternative for a more grippy surface that still maintains a lightweight feel.
Marlow Excel Racing and D2 Racing are both reliable performers for the tack line, and can be tapered for further weight savings.
Cruising Ropes
LIROS Herkules
https://jimmygreen.com/892-liros-herkules-sheets
- LIROS superb quality consistency
- Logical wear and heat resistance upgrade from EVO for extended cruising
- Optimal polyester solution for hard-working rigging
- Close weave, abrasion-resistant 1:1 plait spin-dyed polyester
- Stretch at working load < 5%
LIROS EVO
https://jimmygreen.com/1346-liros-braid-on-braid-evo-sheets
- LIROS superb quality consistency
- Our customers’ most popular selection
- Most reasonable cost
- Optimal polyester solution for all running rigging
- Stretch at working load < 5%
LIROS Magic Sheet
https://jimmygreen.com/1237-liros-magic-sheet
- Top grip spin dyed 16plait polyester
- Lightweight low water absorption polypropylene core
- Ideal for club racing and cruising dinghy/dayboat sheets
Marlow Excel Pro
https://jimmygreen.com/377-marlow-excel-pro-halyards
- Durable Construction
- Low Stretch Polyester Core
- Runs well through blocks and sheaves
- Grips well in cleats
LIROS Dynamic Plus
https://jimmygreen.com/100-liros-dynamic-plus-sheets
- LIROS superb quality consistency
- The optimum cruising Dyneema solution for hard-working rigging
- Superb uplift in performance due to Dyneema SK78 inner core
- Close-weave, abrasion-resistant 24/32plait spin-dyed polyester
- Stretch at working load < 2%
Marlow D2 Club
https://jimmygreen.com/1233-marlow-d2-club-sheets
- Entry-level cruising Dyneema solution for Marlow enthusiasts
- Improved lower stretch due to coated Dyneema SK75 blended core
- Increased Break Load due to SK75 core content
- Stretch at working load c 2.5-3%
Marlow Blue Ocean
https://jimmygreen.com/1406-marlow-blue-ocean-doublebraid-sheets
- The eco-friendly option
- Manufactured from 100% Rpet recycled polyester
- Yarn sourced entirely from waste plastic bottles
- Attractive marble effect blended colours
- Stretch at working load c 5%
Racing Ropes
Marlow Excel Fusion
https://jimmygreen.com/372-marlow-excel-fusion-sheets
- Good abrasion resistance through cleats and jammers
- Good Handling
- Low Stretch
- Light Weight
- Low water absorption
LIROS Magic Pro
https://jimmygreen.com/1228-liros-magic-pro-halyards
- Excellent holding power in cleats
- Good Grip around winches
- Solid shape retention around winches – firm, compact braid construction doesn’t flatten
- Runs freely through block and sheaves
LIROS Racer
https://jimmygreen.com/101-liros-racer-sheets
- Stylish plain colours, no tracer yarn
- Optimum Racing Dyneema core solution
- Full capacity, coated heat-set Dyneema SK78 core
- Specially engineered 32plait polyester cover
- Stretch at working load < 1.5%
Marlow D2 Club
https://jimmygreen.com/1232-marlow-d2-club-halyards
- Good clutch and jammer performance
- Good strength
- Good UV resistance
- Light weight
- Reduced elongation
LIROS Control XTR
https://jimmygreen.com/1036-liros-control-xtr-sheets
- LIROS XTR = the ultimate in extreme performance
- Super-pre stretched, coated, heat-set Dyneema SK99 core
- Specially engineered 32plait polyester/Technora blended cover
- Stretch at working load < 1.0%
Marlow GP78
https://jimmygreen.com/1230-marlow-excel-racing-gp78-halyards
- Excellent UV resistance
- High strength
- Light weight
- Low elongation
LIROS Dynasoft
https://jimmygreen.com/1238-liros-dynasoft-sheets
- Hard working grippy sheet
- Excellent Handling
- Flexible 8plait construction reduces tangling issues
- LIROS Heat-Stretch-System for lowest stretch <2% at working load
Marlow Excel Racing
https://jimmygreen.com/1288-marlow-d2-racing-tapered-sheets
- Grips well in the hand and in cleats
- Good flexibility through small sheaves and blocks
- Abrasion and UV Resistant
Marlow D2 Racing
https://jimmygreen.com/902-marlow-d2-racing-sheets
- Racing Dyneema solution for Marlow enthusiasts
- 24plait polyester cover
- Full capacity coated Dyneema SK78 core
- Stretch at working load c 1.5%
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Jimmy Green Marine is a globally renowned, family-run business founded in 1981, specialising in bespoke rope, wire, webbing and chain solutions.
JimmyGreen.com offers a unique Online Custom Build System, empowering customers to order first-class spliced, terminated, finished and ready-to-fit running rigging, standing rigging, anchoring systems and mooring solutions.
The Jimmy Green Rigging and Sewing Team can offer speedy turnaround times with state-of-the-art WireTeknikRoller Swaging, Cabco Talurit Wire Pressing and UltraSew Automatic Profile Stitching.
Team Jimmy Green is an umbrella for the committed crew that makes up the Splicing, Rigging, Sewing, Sales and Despatch Teams, bringing a wealth of experience and dedication to delivering an outstanding service worldwide.
Their Bespoke Custom Build Solutions are produced from leading Global brands: LIROS and Marlow Ropes, KOS, hamma and Petersen Stainless Steel Wirem and cromox, Hackett, Lofrans, MF and Titan Chain.
Their focus is on select manufacturers to deliver absolute assurance, including a complementary range of supportive deck hardware from Lewmar, Harken, Selden, Barton, to name just a few.
Visit JimmyGreen.com to learn more about their products and services.
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