Sailboat Rigging Lines

Q: What rope do I use for halyards and sheets?

Low-stretch polyester double braid is the standard. For racing, lines with a Dyneema or Spectra core cut stretch and weight and add strength for the diameter.

Q: Why does running rigging need low stretch?

Stretch means lost trim. Low-stretch line holds the shape you set, so the sail sets precisely and the boat points consistently.

Q: Polyester or Dyneema for my boat?

Polyester double braid suits most cruisers. Dyneema and Spectra cores are lighter, stronger, and lower stretch for racers and high-load lines, often under a polyester cover for grip.

Q: What diameter line do I need?

Diameter follows boat size and the job. Larger boats and higher loads need larger diameters; match your sheave and clutch sizes and step up for hard-handled lines.

Q: Which brands do you carry for rigging?

New England Ropes and Marlow, from cruising halyards and sheets to racing lines. All available by the foot and custom-spliceable.

Low-stretch polyester and high-performance running rigging for halyards, sheets, and control lines. Built to hold trim, run free through blocks, and stand up to UV and salt.

Black double braid dock line coiled and cleated on a dock

Collections

Sailboat Rigging Lines

If you're shopping for sailboat rigging lines, you need to check this out. Our collection of synthetic rope has the best prices on high-performance rigging lines, dyneema rope, and everything in between.

3/16"

1/4"

5/16"

3/8"

7/16"

1/2"

9/16"

5/8"

3/4"

New England Ropes
Sta-Set Solid Colors
51 Reviews

Multi-purpose double braid line that holds up to the elements.

Starting from $0.63 / ft.
View details
3/16"

1/4"

5/16"

3/8"

7/16"

1/2"

9/16"

5/8"

3/4"

1"

New England Ropes
Sta-Set Fleck Colors
51 Reviews

Multi-purpose double braid line that holds up to the elements.

Starting from $0.57 / ft.
View details
1/4"

3/8"

1/2"

5/8"

3/4"

1"

1-1/2"

2"

Mission Rope
3-Strand Twisted Poly-Dacron Combination Rope
22 Reviews

Economical high strength spun polyester static rope

Starting from $0.14 / ft.
View details
1/4"

3/8"

7/16"

1/2"

New England Ropes
Vintage Sta-Set
7 Reviews

Multi-purpose double braid line that holds up to the elements.

Starting from $1.14 / ft.
View details
3/16"

1/4"

5/16"

3/8"

7/16"

1/2"

5/8"

3/4"

1"

Mission Rope
TexteelOne HMPE Rope

12-Strand torque-free HMPE rope with ultra strength

Starting from $1.31 / ft.
View details
1.3mm

1.5mm

Marlow Ropes
Kiteline Race Sporting Rope
3 Reviews

Strong and thin sporting rope made from dyneema.

Starting from $50.77
View details
2.5mm

3mm

4mm

5mm

6mm

7mm

9mm

Marlow Ropes
Dyneema D12 78

Pre-stretched ArmourCoated Dyneema rope

Starting from $193.85
View details
3/16"

1/4"

5/16"

3/8"

7/16"

1/2"

9/16"

New England Ropes
Sta-Set Solid Colors Rope Shorts
2 Reviews

Multi-purpose double braid line that holds up to the elements.

Original Price $1.89

Starting from $1.53
View details
3/16"

1/4"

5/16"

3/8"

7/16"

1/2"

New England Ropes
Sta-Set Fleck Rope Shorts

Multi-purpose double braid line that holds up to the elements.

Original Price $3.36

Starting from $2.72
View details
1.8 mm

Marlow Ropes
Kiteline Freestyle Sporting Rope

Strong and thin sporting rope made from dyneema.

Starting from $130.77
View details
3/32"

1/8"

5/32"

3/16"

1/4"

9/32"

23/64"

Marlow Ropes
D12 MAX 78 Rigging Rope

Dyneema SK78 rope unrivalled in strength and low elongation

Starting from $376.92
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1.5mm

2mm

3mm

4mm

Marlow Ropes
Excel Vectran

Low stretch and zero creep

Starting from $190.77
View details
1/4"

5/16"

3/8"

7/16"

1/2"

9/16"

Marlow Ropes
Marlow Double Braid Polyester Marine Rope

High strength and stretch performance for a polyester braid-on-braid

Starting from $192.31
View details
2mm

2.5mm

3mm

4mm

5mm

6mm

7mm

8mm

Marlow Ropes
Excel D12 MAX 99 Rope

High strength and minimal creep

Starting from $458.46
View details
5/32"

3/16"

1/4"

Marlow Ropes
8-Plait Pre-Stretched

Polyester option for windsurf downhauls and outhauls

Starting from $286.15
View details
5/32"

3/16"

Marlow Ropes
EXCEL Control Lines

The first and best dedicated line for continuous loop dinghy control lines

Starting from $218.46
View details
1/8"

5/32"

3/16"

1/4"

Marlow Ropes
D12 99 Dyneema Grand Prix Rope

Lightweight and high strength, single braid Dyneema

Starting from $372.31
View details
5/32"

3/16"

1/4"

Marlow Ropes
PS12 12-Strand Polyester Rope

Designed to be spliced for halyard tails and lazy jacks

Starting from $398.46
View details
5/32"

3/16"

1/4"

Marlow Ropes
Excel Racing GP SK78

Ideal for halyards, sheets and high strength control lines.

Starting from $484.62
View details
1/4"

9/32"

5/16"

3/8"

Marlow Ropes
EXCEL Fusion Marine
1 Review

Blended Dyneema and Polypropylene cover

Starting from $533.85
View details
5/16"

3/8"

1/2"

Marlow Ropes
D2 Grand Prix 78 Rope

D2 Grand Prix's blended cover grips well on winch drums

Starting from $3,580.00
View details
3/16"

9/32"

5/16"

Marlow Ropes
Excel R8 Dyneema Poly Rope

High performance sheet performing well in ratchet blocks

Starting from $1,183.08
View details
3mm

4mm

5mm

Marlow Ropes
Excel V12 Rope

Low stretch with outstanding heat resistance

Starting from $764.62
View details
1/4"

9/32"

5/16"

Marlow Ropes
Excel Marstron Plus

Made with bio-based Dyneema fiber

Starting from $466.15
View details

Showing Products 1 - 24 of 30

Rigging Line Construction Guide

From cruising sheets to grand-prix halyards — click to shop each

Sta-Set Polyester

Cruising

Polyester Double Braid

Polyester cover • polyester core

Diameter: 3/16″–3/4″

Material: Polyester

Stretch: Low

Hand: Soft

Low-stretch, easy-handling braid for cruising halyards, sheets, and control lines. New England Sta-Set and Marlow Excel.

Best for: Cruising halyards & sheets

Shop Polyester →

Endura Braid

Performance

Dyneema Double Braid

Polyester cover • Dyneema core

Core: Dyneema / HMPE

Cover: Polyester

Stretch: Very low

Weight: Light

A grippy polyester cover over a high-modulus Dyneema core — minimal stretch and lighter for its strength. For performance halyards and sheets.

Best for: Racing, high-load lines

Shop Dyneema Braid →

Dyneema D12

Max Strength

Single-Braid Dyneema

Bare 12-strand Dyneema

Material: Dyneema SK78

Stretch: Lowest

Weight: Lightest

Use: Standing / lashings

Bare single-braid Dyneema — the highest strength-to-weight and the lowest stretch. For soft shackles, lashings, and synthetic standing rigging.

Best for: Soft shackles, lashings, standing rigging

Shop Single-Braid →

Sailboat Rigging FAQ

Halyards, sheets, and control lines

What rope do I use for halyards and sheets?+

Low-stretch polyester double braid is the standard for halyards, sheets, and control lines. For racing or high-load applications, lines with a Dyneema or Spectra core cut stretch and weight further while adding strength for the diameter.

Why does running rigging need low stretch?+

Stretch translates to lost sail trim. A halyard that creeps lets the luff sag; a stretchy sheet makes the sail hard to set precisely. Low-stretch line holds the shape you dial in, so the boat points and powers up consistently.

Polyester or Dyneema for my boat?+

Polyester double braid is affordable, easy on the hands, and right for most cruisers. Dyneema and Spectra cores are lighter, stronger, and lower stretch for their diameter, which suits racers and high-load lines. Many performance lines use a Dyneema core under a polyester cover for grip.

What diameter line do I need?+

Diameter follows boat size and the specific job. Larger boats and higher loads need larger diameters, and comfort in the hand matters for lines you grind and hold. Match the line to the sheave and clutch sizes on your boat, and step up if a line will be handled hard.

Which brands do you carry for rigging?+

We stock rigging line from New England Ropes and Marlow, covering everything from cruising halyards and sheets to competitive racing lines. All are available by the foot and can be custom-spliced to your length.