I’m considering replacing my mainsheet with it because it seems like it’d have a good price, nice feel and resist kinking.
However, I’m concerned that the 12-strand single braid might be too compressible to work well in sheetstoppers and winch tailers.
Has anyone who’s used it got any advice, pro or con?
Thanks,
– Bob
I’m sorry I don’t have any experience with it, but I kind of wish you’d posted this earlier. I’ve replaced most of my running rigging with NE Viper and am unhappy with how kinky it is.
Why Viper? Well it is all fancy and high-tech, which isn’t all that important to me, but it was on sale and between that and the fact that it is stronger and so I could downsize it from the polyester sizes spec’d in the manual, it actually ended up roughly the same price and even cheaper for some colors (which were on sale for lower prices, probably due to stocking considerations or something.) It was challenging, learning to eye splice it, but I’ve been otherwise happy except for the kinking. I sure hope that improves as the lines get some use.
I used Samson Warpspeed II for the new halyard. It has also been a little kinky, but not as bad as the Viper.
I used Regatta Braid on our Bristol 45.5 and it does have a lovely feel. No problems with clutches and winches. Only shortcoming is that individual strands can be easily ‘picked’ by sharp objects.
I replaced the old main sheet on my N33 Pelican 5 years ago with Regatta Braid and have been quite pleased with it. Works well on my winch and its tailer, holds easily on combing mounted jam cleat (sheet stopper) and feels very good on the hands. No complaints.