Svendsen's Boat Works

Cruiser: Dacron, such as XLS, SC & YB

Racer/cruiser: Vizzion

Racer: Vizzion or "XLS 900" (all Spectra core) on larger boats

Cruiser: Vizzion

Racer: Custom sleeved Spectra

Cruiser: Dacron: XLS, sc & YB

Racer/cruiser: Vizzion

Racer: Custom sleeved Spectra

Normal Cruiser: Svendsen's wire to rope spliced halyard kits

Racer/cruiser or cruiser who hates wire: Vizzion

Racer: Custom sleeved tech-12, Spectra or Vectran

Cruiser: Dacron: XLS, SC & YB

Racer: "Wing" halyards Custom sleeved Spectra

Stretchy and strong, nylon is best for docklines and anchorlines where the rope needs to stretch, in order to absorb the load. The shock loads created by low stretch lines can cause damage.

Samson's "2 in 1" nylon (double braid)

Yale 8-strand "Brait" nylon in 1/2" & 5/8" (ultimate dock/anchor line)

Traditional 3-strand nylon, by Samson and others

Samson "YB" Yacht Braid: white w/ blue tracer: 1/4-5/8"

Samson "XLS": white w/red, green, blue or black flecks: 1/4-1/2"

Samson "XLS": white w/blue flecks: 1/4-9/16"

Yale "sc": solid colors: red, green, blue or white: 1/4-1/2"

Yale Yacht Braid "YYB": white w/red or green flecks: 9/16"

A super-strong aramid fiber like Kevlar. It's very similar in performance, but with better fatigue life. Very good for main and jib halyards, and has no "creep". Technora is susceptible to U.V. degradation, so our stock has a protective blue coating. Though technora will out last Kevlar, it still may not be durable enough for the long term cruiser.

Samson "TECH-12" single braid: black: 1/8"; blue: 3/16-5/16"

Yale "ARacom T" (Technora core, Dacron cover): white w/blue flecks: 1/8 & 3/16"

Spectra is an amazing fiber that is very strong and durable. It has super low stretch, and is light enough to float. Spectra has the best fatigue life of any fiber. The only problem with Spectra is "creep". Under steady high loads, Spectra will elongate very slowly. After a period of time, you might notice that your jib halyard now seems an inch looser. Using one size larger will greatly reduce creep, but it may still be noticeable. Spectra is the ultimate material for high fatigue and lightweight spinnaker halyards, guys & sheets. Spectra does not absorb moisture, which keeps it lighter on the boat.

Samson "AMSTEEL" (single braid): gray: 7/64, 1/8, 3/16 & 1/4"; blue: 7/64, 1/8, 1/4, 5/32 & 3/8"; red: 7/64, 1/8, 1/4 & 5/16; green: 1/4 & 5/16

Yale "maxibraid" (double braid Spectra core. Dacron cover) white w/blue or red flecks: 3/8-1/2"

Vectran is alternative to Spectra & Technora. It has better fatigue life than Technora, and less creep than Spectra. Vectran (like spectra) does not absorb moisture. Many think Vectran is the ultimate fiber, though is does not have quite the fatigue life of Spectra. One of our favorite lines is the new "Vizzion" by Yale. "Vizzion" uses a composite core of Vectran and olefin (a non-water absorbing "filler" fiber) with a cover sleeve of Dacron. This makes a rope with super low stretch, very little water absorption, good fatigue life and at a reasonable cost.

Yale "vz" (Vizzion): solid black w/red, green or blue flecks: 1/4-1/2" (trust me, it looks cool); solid white w/black flecks: 3/8-1/2"; solid white w/purple flecks: 5/16-1/2"

Yale "Vectrus-12" Vectran single braid: 1/8-3/8"

Using Kevlar as factor of one, these are approximate fatigue life comparisons of the high tech fibers.
Kevlar 1; Technora 8; Vectran 15; Spectra 25