Sailboat Line & Rigging - Halyards, Sheets, Control Lines & More
Line is a critical part of any sailboat, from small dinghy to super yacht and everything in between. West Coast Sailing offers a wide variety of line and marine rope for every sailor from leading line manufacturers. Whether you're looking for a new control line for your Laser vang, jib sheet for your J24, replacement halyard for your cruising boat, or a high strength low stretch line for a high performance application, we've got what you need to get you back on the water. Shop by common application, diameter, material, and more with options available from Robline, Marlow, Alpha Ropes, and New England Ropes. All line sold by the foot with line kits for select boats and small diameter mini spools available.
Shop By Boat
West Coast Sailing offers custom rigging, line kits, and pre cut line for many popular one design dinghies and keelboats. These products make it simple to get the right line for your sailboat and you can be confident they will work great.
Shop By Line Type
Line has come a long way in the past few decades, and current options offer great value and performance. We offer a variety of high tech Lines, which generally feature a non-stretch core for strength, durable cruising lines, which are typically polyester and less expensive but still strong and durable, or Dyneema, Spectra, & Vectran for non-stretch control line, halyard, and sheet applications. Shockcord bungee and floating Polypropylene also available. Scroll down this page for recommendations for line material based on your boat size and application.
Shop By Diameter
West Coast Sailing carries over 80 different lines from 6 of the best rope manufacturers in diameters ranging from 1mm all the way up to 12mm. Use our handy category filters to narrow in on the specific diameter of lines that work for your application, and then pick the one that meets your exact criteria for performance, color, or price.
Additional Line Options & Services
In addition to per foot line, pre cut line, line kits, and custom rigging, West Coast Sailing also offers mini spools, splicing equipment, and custom rigging services. If you can dream it, our team can build it!
- Shop Mini Spools
- Shop Splicing Tools
- Shop Custom Rigging
Line Fiber Type / Material Guide
| Line Type |
Stretch |
Absorption Resistance |
Floatability |
Abrasion/Chafe |
UV Resistance |
Creep |
Hand Feel |
| Polypropylene |
Fair |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
Fair |
| Polyester |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Poor |
Good |
| Technora |
Excellent |
Poor |
Fair |
Excellent |
Poor |
Good |
Good |
| Dyneema/Spectra |
Good |
Good |
Good |
Good |
Good |
Fair |
Good |
| Vectran |
Excellent |
Fair |
Fair |
Poor |
Poor |
Excellent |
Fair |
| Cordura |
Good |
Good |
Good |
Excellent |
Good |
Fair |
Excellent |
| Click Here to Shop Line by Type |
Line Application Guide - Dinghy
| Dinghy |
Polyester &
Polypropylene
|
Polyester
Double Braid
|
Dyneema Blended
Single Braid |
Dyneema Blended
Double Braid |
Blended Core
Double Braid |
Dyneema Core
Double Braid |
Vectran Core
Double Braid |
| Main Halyard |
|
|
|
|
Good |
Better |
Best |
| Jib/Genoa Halyard |
|
|
|
|
Good |
Better |
Best |
| Spinnaker Halyard |
|
|
|
|
Good |
Better |
|
| Mainsheet |
Good |
|
Best |
Best |
|
|
|
| Jib/Genoa Sheet |
Good |
|
Best |
Best |
|
|
|
| Spinnaker Sheet |
Good |
|
Best |
Best |
|
|
|
| Control Lines |
|
|
Better |
|
|
Better |
|
| Click Here to Shop Line by Type |
Line Application Guide - Racing
| Racing |
Polyester &
Polypropylene
|
Polyester
Double Braid
|
Dyneema Blended
Single Braid |
Dyneema Blended
Double Braid |
Blended Core
Double Braid |
Dyneema Core
Double Braid |
Vectran Core
Double Braid |
| Main Halyard |
|
|
|
|
Good |
Better |
Best |
| Jib/Genoa Halyard |
|
|
|
|
Good |
Better |
Best |
| Spinnaker Halyard |
|
|
|
|
Good |
Best |
|
| Mainsheet |
Good |
|
Best |
Better |
Good |
Best |
|
| Jib/Genoa Sheet |
|
|
|
|
Good |
Best |
|
| Spinnaker Sheet |
|
|
Better |
Best |
Good |
Best |
|
| Control Lines |
|
Good |
Better |
Better |
Good |
Best |
|
Line Application Guide - Performance Cruising
|
Performance
Cruising
|
Polyester &
Polypropylene
|
Polyester
Double Braid
|
Dyneema Blended
Single Braid |
Dyneema Blended
Double Braid |
Blended Core
Double Braid |
Dyneema Core
Double Braid |
Vectran Core
Double Braid |
| Main Halyard |
|
Good |
|
|
Better |
Better |
Best |
| Jib/Genoa Halyard |
|
Good |
|
|
Better |
Better |
Best |
| Spinnaker Halyard |
|
Good |
|
|
Better |
Best |
|
| Mainsheet |
Good |
Good |
Better |
|
Better |
Best |
|
| Jib/Genoa Sheet |
Good |
Good |
|
|
Better |
Best |
|
| Spinnaker Sheet |
Good |
Good |
|
|
Better |
Best |
|
| Control Lines |
Good |
Good |
Better |
|
Better |
Better |
|
| Click Here to Shop Line by Type |
Line Diameter Guide
Recommended Diameter by Application & Boat Length
|
Application
|
Boat Length
10 - 18 Feet
|
Boat Length
18 - 24 Feet |
Boat Length
24 - 32 Feet |
Boat Length
32 - 38 Feet |
Boat Length
38 - 45 Feet |
Boat Length
45 - 52 Feet |
| Main Halyard |
6mm / 1/4 in |
6mm / 1/4 in |
8mm / 5/16 in |
8mm / 5/16 in |
9mm / 3/8 in |
11mm / 7/16 in |
| Jib/Genoa Halyard |
6mm / 1/4 in |
6mm / 1/4 in |
8mm / 5/16 in |
8mm / 5/16 in |
9mm / 3/8 in |
11mm / 7/16 in |
| Spinnaker Halyard |
6mm / 1/4 in |
6mm / 1/4 in |
8mm / 5/16 in |
9mm / 3/8 in |
9mm / 3/8 in |
11mm / 7/16 in |
| Topping Lift |
6mm / 1/4 in |
6mm / 1/4 in |
8mm / 5/16 in |
9mm / 3/8 in |
9mm / 3/8 in |
11mm / 7/16 in |
| Mainsheet |
8mm / 5/16 in |
9mm / 3/8 in |
9mm / 3/8 in
|
9mm / 3/8 in |
11mm / 7/16 in |
12mm / 1/2 in |
| Jib/Genoa Sheet |
6mm / 1/4 in |
8mm / 5/16 in |
9mm / 3/8 in |
9mm / 3/8 in |
11mm / 7/16 in |
12mm / 1/2 in |
| Spinnaker Sheet |
6mm / 1/4 in |
8mm / 5/16 in |
8mm / 5/16 in |
8mm / 5/16 in |
9mm / 3/8 in |
9mm / 3/8 in |
| Tack Line |
5mm / 3/16 in |
6mm / 1/4 in |
9mm / 3/8 in |
9mm / 3/8 in |
9mm / 3/8 in |
11mm / 7/16 in |
| Click Here to Shop Line by Diameter |
|
MM to Inch
Conversion Chart
|
1mm = 3/64 inch |
2mm = 5/64 inch |
3mm = 1/8 inch |
4mm = 5/32 inch |
5mm = 3/16 inch |
6mm = 1/4 inch |
| 7mm = 9/32 inch |
8mm = 5/16 inch |
9mm = 3/8 inch |
10mm = 25/64 inch |
11mm = 7/16 inch |
12mm = 1/2 inch |
If you are replacing an existing line, the easiest way to determine what diameter you need is to match what you already have. This can be done with a caliper or by close estimation with a tape measure. For example, if you've previously used a 7mm halyard and it has performed well, another 7mm line is likely a great choice. In most applications, there is some flexibility in the exact diameter that can be used. Most blocks, for example, have an 'ideal' diameter (ie, the line diameter that runs most effectively though the block's sheave) but also have a range so that you can run a slightly thinner or slightly thicker line. If you have a halyard that is getting hung up in your rig, stepping down 1-2mm might help the halyard run more efficiently. If you have a larger boat or rig and want to run a thinner halyard, consider a double braid line that features a Dyneema or Spectra core for strength. A similar approach can be applied to replacing sheets, control lines, and other line on your sailboat.
Line Application & Suggested Measurement
Mainsheet - (E+2) x Purchase
Genoa Sheet - 1.5 x LOA
Jib Sheet - LOA
Spinnaker Sheet - 2 x LOA (recommend adding 5-10')
Asymmetrical Sheet (Outside) - 3 x LOA
Asymmetrical Sheet (Inside Only - 2.5 x LOA
Main Halyard - 2P + Distance to the Clutch
Jib Halyard - 2I + Distance to the Clutch
Spinnaker Halyard - 2I + 20'
Tack Line - J x 5
Please Note - Customer specified lengths are always preferred. These lengths are only recommendations and not specific to your boat.
Double Braid vs Single Braid
Two terms you will often see in line descriptions are 'double braid' and 'single braid', which refer to the way the line is constructed. At the most basic level, a double braid line has a cover and a core whereas a single braid does not, but there are other important distinctions to consider when making a line selection.
Single Braids are made up of either 8 or 12 strands that are braided into a circular pattern, half clockwise and half counter clockwise. This produces a line that is supple, absorbs twists, and tends not to kink. There are two types of single braid lines: performance single braids and polyester/blended single braids. Performance single braids are made from fibers with very low stretch and designed to handle extreme loads - think Dyneema, Spectra, or Vectran. Polyester/blended single braids, sometimes called hollow braid, are soft and easy to grip, built for sheets and hand-adjusted control lines. These are less common than performance single braid lines but recommended in a few specific applications.
Double Braids, sometimes called braid on braid, have a braided core within a braided outer jacket or cover. This creates a strong, durable, smooth-running line that is easy to handle. Double braids are used for the vast majority of all running rigging on sailboats including sheets, halyards and control lines for both cruising or racing. There are two types to consider: polyester double braids and high-tech double braids. Polyester double braids, found most commonly on recreational and cruising sailboats, have a polyester cover with polyester core. These are low maintenance, affordable, and long-lasting, while offering relatively low stretch and high working loads. For additional strength and minimal stretch, consider high-tech double braids. These lines typically feature a Dyneema or Spectra core (non-stretch) inside a polyester or polyester/dyneema blend cover for additional durability. They are more expensive but often the go to choice for high performance racing boats.
Sailing Programs & Clubs - West Coast Sailing offers special program pricing on purchases for sailing programs, yacht clubs, and community sailing organizations. Visit our YC & Program Purchasing page for more details.
One Design Rigging
Line Kits
Pre Cut Line
Line for Controls
Line for Halyards
Line for Sheets
Line By Diameter
Line By Type
High Tech Line
Recreation & Cruising Line
Dyneema, Spectra & Vectran
Shockcord & Polypropylene
Mini Spools
Whipping & Splicing
Line Length Guides
