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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 General Sailing Forum
 Novatech XLE and comparable Samson lines		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts
Initially Posted - 07/23/2012 :  21:54:01  Show Profile
There have been many mentions of Novatech XLE (sold on eBay and advertised as being comparable to Samson XLS) on this forum. I finally had some time to look up the specs (after buying a couple hundred feet myself) and realized that it really isn't that great.

It is not comparable to Samson XLS, it is comparable to Samson Gold-n-Braid. It has a similar strength to XLS and XLS Extra, but is much stretchier line. In fact it has more than double the stretch of XLS, and about 6x the stretch of XLS Extra, but is very comparable to Gold-N-Braid (not commonly recommended for things like halyards). Here are the stats for XLE:
http://www.novabraid.com/rope/xle_performer.html

Note the 3% stretch at 10% of breaking load, and 5% at 20% of breaking load. Breaking load is 3500lbs.

XLS:
http://www.samsonrope.com/index.cfm?rope=99&inst=1

1.5% stretch at 10%, 2.2% at 20% load, 3300lbs breaking.

XLS Extra:
http://www.samsonrope.com/index.cfm?rope=89&inst=1

0.5% stretch at 10%, 0.8% at 20%, 3500lbs breaking.

Gold N Braid:
http://www.samsonrope.com/index.cfm?rope=98&inst=1

3.5% stretch at 10%, 5.6 at 20%, 3200lbs breaking

The kicker is that Gold-N-Braid is cheaper than Novatech XLE, at least after my club discount at Fisheries Supply.
Alex W
Seattle, WA
Express 37 "re-Quest"
previously owned 1984 Catalina 25 "Lutra"
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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3367 Posts
Response Posted - 07/24/2012 :  05:31:11  Show Profile  Visit OLarryR's Homepage
I bought Sampson lines thru Defender about 2 years ago or so. I replaced the main and genoa sheets with Sampson XLS Extra T and the main halyard with Sampson Warpspeed. The jib halyard I do not use with my furling Genoa but I replaced it anyway with Sampson XLS Extra T. (The Warpspeed is probably overkill for extra low stretch since the Sampson XLS Extra T is a fine low stretch line for the sheets and halyards).
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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts
Response Posted - 07/24/2012 :  06:10:11  Show Profile
I have primarily used Samson XLS Extra when replacing my running rigging. My main and jib halyards, main sheet, and genoa sheets are all XLS. I bought some Novatech XLE to experiment with and I'm glad to have used it in areas where a little stretch is less of an issue (spinnaker halyard, reefing lines, topping lift).

I posted this thread to correct the idea that it is comparable to XLS. If you search the archives for XLS and Novatech you'll see many claims that it is. It is nice line and feels good in the hands, but it isn't a low stretch line.
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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3754 Posts
Response Posted - 07/24/2012 :  18:13:43  Show Profile
Makes me happy to pay the premium for Sampson and New England Rope to know exactly what I'm getting.
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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts
Response Posted - 07/24/2012 :  19:17:32  Show Profile
Thanks for doing the technical research that I did not do. I'll admit that I took the ads for the XLE line at face value. I stand corrected and I'm sorry if I mislead anyone. I do like the line, however, and it does have a good feel to it, maybe just not for halyards.
I had used it to replace the 3/16" Ultra-tech line I had been trying as halyards on the C-22. That line is great for halyards, almost no stretch at all and exceptionally strong, but the 3/16" size was tough on the hands, and the larger sizes were too expensive:
http://www.samsonrope.com/index.cfm?ind=1&app=1&rope=90&inst=1
Incidentally, I noticed that 5/16" Samson Ultra-tech is a recommended line for halyards on J-22's.
Edited by - dmpilc on 07/25/2012 10:30:46
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.