ILCA Sailing Tips: Selecting the Best Mainsheet
Length, thickness, and material all affect mainsheet handling, grip, friction, durability, and by-the-lee range.
Choosing the right mainsheet can make or break your day of racing. The main factors to consider are length, thickness, and material.
Length is important. If you are unsure, as with buying any line, buy it a bit longer and cut it down to your taste after a few sails. It is useful to sail with a roll of electrical tape so you can mark where you think you want to cut it, then test that during practice.
Length
A mainsheet on the short end means that on a windy day, if you lose your sheet, the sail will not get too far away from you. However, in by-the-lee conditions, you may not be able to sheet out far enough.
The ideal length seems to be between 42 and 46 feet.
Thickness
Thickness affects both grip and friction through the blocks. A thicker line creates more friction. In stronger wind, you may want a thicker mainsheet for better grip, and because sail loads are higher, the increased friction through the blocks is usually negligible.
A common thin mainsheet is 6mm, while a thicker heavy-air sheet is often 7mm.
Material
Mainsheets come in different styles and materials. You need something strong, long-lasting, comfortable to grip, and not slippery in your hands. A nice polyester cover is great, and a strong core such as Dyneema can help prevent stretch and breakage.
New mainsheets often come with a protective coating that is very slippery, so break the line in well ahead of an important event.
