Arthritis in hands-5/16ths or 3/8ths sheets better?

[SkiDeep2001]

I was wondering if anybody knows what line would be easier to handle, 5/16ths vs 3/8ths, when replacing sheets/halyards, as I am developing arthritis in my hands .

[waternwaves]

The larger diameter and stiffer the line, the easier it is for me to handle.

My doctors look at xrays and my joints and tell me that I have arthritis.
I disagree......I have maturity mechanisms now that warn me for overstressing my physiology.

Course that glusosamine, chondroitin and MSM daily has helped immensely. Not only helps my make gristle..... it puts it in the right place.

We are not allowed to have arthritis in this house.

[Wind Chime]

I changed all of our running rigging from factory 5/16 up to 3/8 for this very reason.

I find it easier to handle and hold, especially becuase we mostly use the gunnel genoa track camcleats instead of cabin winches.

A bit of a trade-off for the spinnaker sheets though. Lighter would be better, but still happy I changed these to 3/8 as well.

Darry

[bastonjock]

i have not got Arthritus but i do get very cold hands,im about to replace the running rigging and ive opted for the 3/8 instead of 5/16th.My hands get a bit stiff and i have been considering putting heated gloves on the boat,then as i now have an AP that will help to as i wont have to hold the steel wheel all of the time

[parrothead]

I highly recommend up-sizing the jib sheets to 7/16 for easier handling, and adding a block to the mainsheet tackle to give you a 5:1 ratio. See http://macgregorsailors.com/modt/index.php?view=1107 and http://macgregorsailors.com/modt/index.php?view=1091

[waternwaves]

My admiral Bettina was looking out for me and provided some of those slip in chemical glove heaters on my january cruise from BC to Washington. I highly recommend them.

[tangentair]

I too have that "maturity mechanism" and while I do not have difficulity with the line sizes, I do find that my hands will occassionally cramp up and I have to beat and massage them back into operation. My doc says it is dehidration, I don't necessarily buy it, but I haven't discovered a better explaination and it does give a reason to relax after sailing. As for the cold hands, I remember a few years ago there was an artic study that found soaking your hands in cold water regularily for some period of time would aclimate them. I don't know if that is still in vogue though.

[waternwaves]

My hands were pretty wet (trying to acclimatize I suppose) (head was a little wet also.....but that steamed up) ........at least after the first 6 hours.......when I also discovered the blue nitrile gloves inside my other sailing gloves helped also.