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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Samson MLX3 or New England Ropes Sta-set X

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JB
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USA
113 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/01/2022 : 09:12:44

I'm replacing my halyards and I'm a cruiser not a racer so I don't need the very lowest stretch line. I have no idea what I have now, it's what ever Catalina supplied.

Anyone with experience with either Samson MLX3 or New England Ropes Sta-set X. How well does it hold up in the elements, does it get stiff? How well does it knot? I tie the shackle on with a bowline.

I used to have low stretch lines on another boat and it was too stiff
to knot and wouldn't coil well.

1988 C25 Wing Keel Std Rig Tohatsu 9.9 Tiller Steering and 2003 C250 Wing Keel Std Rig Inboard Diesel Wheel Steering

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1757 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2022 : 09:30:17

Others here are well versed on the specific differences between ropes, types, and manufactures. You also can reach out to suppliers like Catalina Direct, who sell, I believe, halyards for all things Catalina or Cajun Ropes in Canada that does the same. In the case of Cajun the pricing is attractive thanks to the conversion rate between the US vs CN dollar.

Peter Bigelow
C-25 TR/FK #2092 Limerick
Rowayton, Ct
Port Captain: Rowayton/Norwalk/Darien CT

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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5313 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2022 : 20:09:23

Hi JB, do you also plan to change your sheets? Main sheet, jib sheets? For halyards I like New England Ropes� Sta-Set lines. Mainsheet, the same. You may want a more grippable line for your jib sheets.

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9044 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2022 : 08:45:27

(As is often the case, knowing the model and vintage of the boat is useful here, so many of us put that in our "signature" in our profile.)

The original halyards on most C-25s were wire-to-rope. Changing from that to all rope (as many do) requires changing the mast-head sheaves. Catalina Direct has all of what you'd need. The C-250 is different--all of its lines are all-rope.

I had a roller furler, so my jib halyard stayed cleated all season, suggesting good low-stretch rope. To switch to all-rope halyards, I went with CD's Krypton lines. The jib halyard stayed board-tight all season. (I wasn't concerned about the main halyard.)

If I had gotten around to changing my sheets, I would have used New England Ropes "Regatta" single braid for nice handling, easy coiling, and less tangling (or hockling)--it's very flexible, soft, and slightly "nubby". A friend of mine has it.

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

JB
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113 Posts

Response Posted - 03/03/2022 : 08:10:37

I was primarily interested in the halyards. Sta-set is cheap and my experience with it has been good. Sta-set X is more expensive but has less stretch. If that's was all there was to it, I'd go with sta-set x. But I don't know how it handles (hockles, stiffness) or its knot tying qualities. I know it needs special splicing techniques.

I've got a 89 Catalina 25 Wing keel standard rig and 2004ish Catalina 250 Wing keel standard rig with diesel sail drive.

1988 C25 Wing Keel Std Rig Tohatsu 9.9 Tiller Steering and 2003 C250 Wing Keel Std Rig Inboard Diesel Wheel Steering

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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5313 Posts

Response Posted - 03/03/2022 : 13:51:05

What knots do you need? To connect your halyard shackle to the halyard? A figure eight knot as a stopper knot for the bitter end?
I don�t use fancy splices for my halyards. I tied my shackles on with a bowline and I whipped down the �tail� with some twine. Might not be totally YAR, but it�s worked for several years.

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9044 Posts

Response Posted - 03/03/2022 : 19:46:19

I haven't seen specs for the reduction of strength from knots for different cordage, but I suspect Sta-Set X might lose a little and be be a little less suitable for knots due to the lower-stretch core. For your usage, I would think Sta-Set will do just fine. If you have a furler where the swivel is held all season by the jib halyard, I might suggest Sta-Set X for longer term stability.

Knowing you have an '89 eliminates the requirement to replace mast-head sheaves used for wire halyards, although after all these years it would be worthwhile to take a look at the sheaves--the originals are plastic, and they're obviously in a lot of sun. Folks (like me) have found them to be damaged and fragile.

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5313 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2022 : 07:59:12

Then there�s this from Defender.

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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5881 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2022 : 08:40:37

quote:
Originally posted by Voyager

Then there�s this from Defender.

The Novabraid XLE looks like a good buy. At 90' it's too long for most C25 jib halyards, but you can cut it as needed, whip the end and have a short line left over for a myriad of uses.

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3475 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2022 : 10:40:50

I use staset and its been fine for like 80 cents a foot.

Others have said don't use a snap shackle and I kinda agree although it's done and I keep a bass lure onboard to retrieve the halyard if it gets off. so far that has not happened but Im not recommending the snap.

I'd like to go to soft shackles. I've been making some trying to get my skill level up... maybe this year.......

Ray in Atlanta, Ga.
"Lee Key" '84 Catalina 25
Standard Rig / Fin Keel

Edited by - redeye on 03/04/2022 10:54:36

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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1757 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2022 : 15:49:32

Curious -- what does Catalina Direct suggest/offer? They have complete kits.

Peter Bigelow
C-25 TR/FK #2092 Limerick
Rowayton, Ct
Port Captain: Rowayton/Norwalk/Darien CT

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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.