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High Tech Line

High Tech Sailing Line

For sailboat racing, high tech line that is durable and offers minimal stretch isn't an option, it's a requirement. West Coast Sailing offers a range of high tech line options including Samson Ultra-Lite, Alpha Ropes SSR, Robline Dinghy Control, Marlow Excel Racing, and Robline Coppa 500. These lines have a strong, low stretch Spectra or Dyneema core with a durable cover.


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  • 5mm Kingfisher Evo Race 78 5mm Kingfisher Evo Race 78

    5mm Kingfisher Evo Race 78

    Kingfisher Yacht Ropes
    $1.13
    Evolution Race 78 from Kingfisher has a high performance Dyneema SK78 12 strand coated core that is high strength, low stretch and low creep. It has a hard wearing HT braided Polyester cover and is easy to splice. Diameter - 5mm (3/16 inch) Core...
    Qty in Cart: 0
    Price:
    $1.13
    Subtotal:
  • 4mm Kingfisher Evo Race 78 4mm Kingfisher Evo Race 78

    4mm Kingfisher Evo Race 78

    Kingfisher Yacht Ropes
    $0.79
    Evolution Race 78 from Kingfisher has a high performance Dyneema SK78 12 strand coated core that is high strength, low stretch and low creep. It has a hard wearing HT braided Polyester cover and is easy to splice. Diameter - 4mm Core - 12 Strand...
    Qty in Cart: 0
    Price:
    $0.79
    Subtotal:
  • 3mm Kingfisher Evo Race 78 3mm Kingfisher Evo Race 78

    3mm Kingfisher Evo Race 78

    Kingfisher Yacht Ropes
    $0.50
    Evolution Race 78 from Kingfisher has a high performance Dyneema SK78 12 strand coated core that is high strength, low stretch and low creep. It has a hard wearing HT braided Polyester cover and is easy to splice. Diameter - 3mm Core - 12 Strand...
    Qty in Cart: 0
    Price:
    $0.50
    Subtotal:
  • 2mm Robline Dinghy Control Line

    2mm Robline Dinghy Control Line

    Robline
    $0.24
    Dinghy Control Line from Robline is a great all around high-tech control line with Dyneema® SK78 core. This 2mm version is ideal for small applications or lashing blocks on dinghies. Colors: Red,  Blue, Green, Yellow Diameter - 2mm (5/64...
    Qty in Cart: 0
    Price:
    $0.24
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  • 3mm Robline Dinghy Control Line

    3mm Robline Dinghy Control Line

    Ronstan
    $0.45
    Dinghy Control Line from Robline is a great all around high-tech control line with Dyneema® SK78 core. This 3mm version is ideal for all kinds of applications where you need the strength of a low-stretch core with the durability of a cover, such as...
    Qty in Cart: 0
    Price:
    $0.45
    Subtotal:
  • 4mm Robline Dinghy Control Line

    4mm Robline Dinghy Control Line

    Robline
    $0.65
    Dinghy Control Line from Robline is a great all around high-tech control line with Dyneema® SK78 core. This 4mm version is ideal for all kinds of applications where you need the strength of a low-stretch core with the durability of a cover, such as...
    Qty in Cart: 0
    Price:
    $0.65
    Subtotal:
  • 4mm Marlow Excel Racing Line Available in Red, Gray, Blue, and Lime

    4mm Marlow Excel Racing Line

    Marlow Ropes
    $0.87
    Marlow Excel Racing is one of our favorite go to options for dinghy control lines and even halyards. It features a color matched Dyneema SK-78 core for low stretch with a 16 plait cover for improved abrasion resistance and durability. It also can...
    Qty in Cart: 0
    Price:
    $0.87
    Subtotal:
  • 4mm Alpha SSR Line

    4mm Alpha SSR Line

    Alpha Ropes
    $0.54
    4mm SSR from Alpha Ropes is a perfect sail control line on small boats and designed with Olympic racers in mind. A single braid blend of Spectra and Cordura makes this line both durable and soft in the hand. Very similar to Maffiloli switfcord...
    Qty in Cart: 0
    Price:
    $0.54
    Subtotal:
  • 5mm Robline Dinghy Control Line

    5mm Dinghy Control Line

    Robline
    $1.04
    Dinghy Control Line from Robline is a great all around high-tech control line with Dyneema SK78 core. This 5mm version is ideal for all kinds of applications where you need the strength of a low-stretch core with the durability of a cover, such as using...
    Qty in Cart: 0
    Price:
    $1.04
    Subtotal:
  • 5mm Marlow Excel Racing Line

    5mm Marlow Excel Racing Line

    Marlow Ropes
    $1.20
    Marlow Excel Racing is one of our favorite go to options for dinghy control lines and even halyards. It features a color matched Dyneema SK-78 core for low stretch with a 16 plait cover for improved abrasion resistance and durability. It also can...
    Qty in Cart: 0
    Price:
    $1.20
    Subtotal:
  • 5mm Samson Ultra-Lite Line

    5mm Samson Ultra-Lite Line

    Samson
    $0.66
    Samson Ultra-Lite is lightweight, floating double braid line with a modest strength/weight ratio and a great price point. This 5 mm version is ideal for light-wind sheets for the club racer or performance cruiser and features a Dyneema SK-75/MFP...
    Qty in Cart: 0
    Price:
    $0.66
    Subtotal:
  • 5.5mm Robline Coppa 5000 Line Red 5.5mm Robline Coppa 5000 Line Blue

    5.5mm Robline Coppa 5000 Line

    Robline
    $1.28
    Robline Coppa 5000 is a great high performance line for sheeting on larger dinghies and keelboats. It has a Dyneema SK-78 core and provided with a 24-plait cover for easy splicing and stripping. It is ideal for applications where minimum stretch and...
    Qty in Cart: 0
    Price:
    $1.28
    Subtotal:
  • 6mm Alpha SSR Line

    6mm Alpha SSR Line

    Alpha Ropes
    $1.17
    6mm SSR from Alpha Ropes is a perfect larger diameter sail control line or sheet on small boats and designed with Olympic racers in mind. A single braid blend of Spectra and Cordura makes this line both durable and soft in the hand. Very similar to...
    Qty in Cart: 0
    Price:
    $1.17
    Subtotal:
  • 6mm Robline Admiral 5000 Line Blue 6mm Robline Admiral 5000 Line Green

    6mm Robline Admiral 5000 Line

    Robline
    $1.13
    Robline Admiral 5000 is an allround rope that is easy to splice and taper while offering highest breaking load values at the same time. Recommended for halyards on larger boards where low stretch is required. Admiral 5000 is made for sailors and...
    Qty in Cart: 0
    Price:
    $1.13
    Subtotal:
  • 6mm Robline Dinghy Control Line

    6mm Robline Dinghy Control Line

    Robline
    $1.46
    Dinghy Control Line from Robline is a great all around high-tech control line with Dyneema® SK78 core. This 6mm version is ideal for all kinds of applications where you need the strength of a low-stretch core with the durability of a cover, such as...
    Qty in Cart: 0
    Price:
    $1.46
    Subtotal:
  • 6mm Samson Ultra-Lite Line

    6mm Samson Ultra-Lite Line

    Samson
    $1.05
    Samson Ultra-Lite is lightweight, floating double braid line with a modest strength/weight ratio and a great price point. This 6 mm version is ideal for light-wind sheets for the club racer or performance cruiser and features a Dyneema SK-75/MFP...
    Qty in Cart: 0
    Price:
    $1.05
    Subtotal:
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Finding The Right Diameter

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. If you've previously used a 7mm sheet 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 sheet that is getting hung up in your rig, stepping down 1-2mm might help the sheet run more efficiently. If you have a larger boat or rig and want to run a thinner sheet, consider a double braid line that features a Dyneema or spectra core for strength.

Line Diameter Conversion

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 in | 11mm = 7/16 in  | 12mm = 1/2 in

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.

Whipping & Splicing

Looking to clean up the end of your line or need to add a splice to your rig? Visit our Whipping & Splicing page for a full selection of whipping twine, fids, splicing needles, and complete splicing kits. Perfect for the DIY sailor looking to further optimize their rigging.

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