3/8ths is just right for the mainsheet. Its plenty strong, (Sta-Set), you could
probably lift your boat with 3-4 slings of it, and it runs through blocks, smaller, less
expensive ones, easily. 1/2" has better feel in the hand but is a big pile of clumsy rope
in anything other than gale conditions. I don't think any more than a 4-1 purchase is
nessesary. The main is not that big and when it starts to blow, you reef.
Cheers, B
Commander#215