Traditional Symmetrical Spinnakers
Choosing the correct spinnaker sheet (which adjusts the position of the sail to leeward) and spinnaker guy (which adjusts the position of the pole to windward) is crucial for both safety and performance.
When gybing a single-line setup, most commonly used for light weather cruising, the sheet becomes the guy, and vice versa; consequently, the desired performance and specifications are the same for both. This system will require a tweaker to steepen the angle of the guy. The longer of the two lines will dictate the length required for each. The rule of thumb for a single-line system of sheets and guys is that they should be around 2 times the boat’s length overall (LOA).
When gybing a double-line system, most commonly used for all-weather cruising and racing, a sheet and guy are attached to both the tack and the clew.
In this case, the rule of thumb is around 2 times LOA for the guy and 2.5 times LOA for the sheet.
Modern Asymmetric Spinnakers
Gennakers and similar types of downwind sails require a pair of sheets. These are generally longer, perhaps 2.25-2.5 times LOA, and possibly with a little extra for the working tail. This is because the lazy sheet needs to lead from the clew around the forestay, back down the windward deck through a block and up to a winch.
Longer line lengths generally mean greater sheeting speed is required during manoeuvres. This requires a sheet to have an elevated level of abrasion resistance to provide sufficient longevity of performance.
Main Factors to consider in selecting your Spinnaker Sheets and Guys are Strength, Stretch, Durability, Heat and Abrasion Resistance and Ease of Handling
If you would like to know more about the rope characteristics to consider, please view this article in our Knowledge centre How to select sheets and guys
Splicing – Why splice your sheets?
Knots reduce the strength of any rope by an alarming degree; this varies between ropes but can induce a severe weakening by as much as 50%. Splicing your sheets and guys will retain approximately 85% of the rope strength – an even higher percentage than that for some ropes.
Splicing – Why whip the end of your sheets
A stitch and whipped end will prolong the working life of your sheets by binding the cover and the core together. This helps to equalise the tension in each part throughout the length of the line. Whipping is the most enduring method of preventing the end of a line from untidy fraying and disastrous unravelling.
The Jimmy Green Custom Build Splicing and Whipping Service
Why not ask the Jimmy Green Rigging Team to splice and whip your new lines for you? It is such a simple exercise to specify and order all your lines professionally finished on our website using our innovative, step-by-step Custom Build process.
The Selection Process:
Do you need Cruising or Performance?
Cruising includes 100% Polyester lines and a Polyester Jacket with a Cruising Dyneema core.
Performance steps up to Polyester Jacket with a Racing core, Blended covers with a Racing core and 100% Dyneema.
Select a line and check its Plus factors to see how it matches your requirements. Then, select the diameter, make your selection for length, colour, splicing, whipping and a shackle if required.
Our website updates the specification and price each time you select a different option from the drop-down menu.
Save your choices by adding the finished line to your basket.
You can give each line a name or add any special notes for yourself or the rigger.
You are ready to add another line or try a different rope option for comparison in your basket.
Cruising Top Picks and their Star Qualities
Marlow Blue Ocean – The Sustainable Choice
- The eco-friendly option
- Majority of yarn used from Rpet recycled polyester
- Attractive marble effect blended colours
- Stretch at working load c 5%
LIROS Herkules – The logical LIROS Upgrade for Extended Cruising
- LIROS superb quality consistency
- Optimal polyester solution for hard-working sheets and guys
- Close weave, abrasion-resistant 1:1 plait spin-dyed polyester jacket
- Stretch at working load < 5%
LIROS Dynamic Plus – The Top Cruising Dyneema Upgrade
- The Jimmy Green Rigging Team Favourite
- Superb uplift in performance due to Dyneema SK78 inner core
- Ideal for higher loaded guys and sheets on cruising yachts
- Close weave, abrasion resistant 32plait spin-dyed polyester cover
- Stretch at working load < 2%
Marlow D2 Club – The Marlow Cruising Dyneema Upgrade
- Entry-level cruising Dyneema solution for Marlow enthusiasts
- Improved lower stretch due to coated Dyneema SK75 blended core
- Increased Break Load due to SK75 core content
- Suitable for higher loaded sheets and guys
- Stretch at working load c 2.5-3%
Performance Top Picks and their Star Qualities
LIROS Racer – The Top Racing Option
- Stylish plain colours, no tracer yarn
- Full capacity, coated heat-set Dyneema SK78 core
- Specially engineered 32plait polyester cover designed for rapid sheeting
- The racing benchmark for performance sheets
- Stretch at working load < 1.5%
Marlow D2 Grand Prix – The Marlow Top Performance Option
- Hard Racing Dyneema solution for Marlow enthusiasts
- Polyester/Technora blended cover provides an abrasion resistance upgrade over polyester
- Super-pre stretched, coated Dyneema SK78 core
- High strength and low stretch combine with technora for elevated longevity
- Stretch at working load c 1.5%
LIROS Control XTR – The Top Extreme Option
- LIROS XTR = the ultimate in extreme performance
- Super-pre stretched, coated, heat-set Dyneema SK99 core
- Specially engineered 32plait polyester/Technora blended cover
- Ultimate strength and low stetch combined with Technora for optimal longevity and performance
- Stretch at working load < 1.0%
Dinghy Top Picks and their Star Qualities
LIROS Magic Sheet – The entry level sheet
- LIROS Top grip spin dyed 16 plait polyester cover
- 16 plait lightweight low water absorption polypropylene core
- Ideal for club racing and cruising dinghy/dayboat sheets
- The economical choice, balancing longevity with performance
LIROS Dynasoft – The go to sheet for optimum performance
- Hard working grippy sheet
- Excellent Handling for heavier hand held sheet loads
- Flexible 8plait construction reduces tangling issues
- LIROS Heat-Stretch-System for lowest stretch <2% at working load
- Not recommended for high load winching
Marlow Excel Fusion – The Marlow racing Upgrade
- Dyneema/polypropylene blended cover provides lightweight, abrasion resistant performance
- Easy balanced handling in racing scenarios with rapid sheeting
- Low Stretch high strength Dyneema SK78 core
- Light Weight owing to low water absorption
- Can be tapered by stripping cover to expose Armourcoated Dyneema core