30U Choker Line Size

Newsgroups Archive Prior to 2025
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On my old 26C according to the manual, the Wishbone Choker line is 7/16” and the Tackle 5/16”.

On my new 30U according to the manual, the Wishbone Choker line is 3/16” and the Tackle 3/8”. (Pg 44.1)

I understand going up for the Tackle, but is 3/16 correct for the Choker Line? Or is this a 40 year old typo?

I’ve got New England polyester 8mm - will that work?

Thanks again, Neil

NS30U,#488
Kingston, ON

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Hmmm, that’s really observant, Neil. Good catch!

It looks like the N30C and N30U manuals disagree on this point, because you’re right about what the 30U manual says while, in contrast, the 30C manual says 7/16" for the choker and 3/8" for the tackle.

I don’t know the story behind the discrepancy, but if it were my boat, I’d be inclined to go with the more conservative specs.

As for the 8mm line, that’s equivalent to 5/16" or 1/16" less than specified. My suggestion about how to decide if you can use it would be to look at two things:

  1. How does the breaking strength of the line you’re considering compare to the specified strengths of the blocks it’s going through?
  2. Since the tackle is what leads back to the cockpit, do your hands feel comfortable gripping the smaller line and are your sheetstoppers/self-tailers also able to grip it?
    If you’re comfortable with the answers to those questions, I’d say go for it. If not, not. IMHO.

– Bob
Me Gusta
Nonsuch e26U #233
Looking forward to seeing folks in Toronto:
https://nonsuch.org/2024-INA-International-Rendezvous-Status

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Thanks Bob. And I did use the 8mm line and the blocks/stoppers are right sized.

Best regards, Neil
Hoping to finally meet you in Toronto in July