BoatBanter.com - View Single Post - HR 2550 may make it illegal to wash your deck

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On Wed, 19 Sep 2007 00:28:24 GMT, (Richard
Casady) wrote:

On Tue, 18 Sep 2007 14:32:23 -0700, "
wrote:

On Sep 17, 5:36 pm, "KLC Lewis" wrote:
... There is a new rigging material out which is exactly that: high-tech
synthetic rope with a protective covering. Don't recall the name of it, but
it's very lightweight and exceptionally strong. At least in theory. Jury's
still out on how it works in the real world.

PBO covered with cheaper (!) carbon is available from several
suppliers. It has been used for years by all of the top long distance
racers with good results. In the lab it lasts longer than wire but it
is very vulnerable to UV attack (hence the carbon outer layer). The
expense and need to keep it perfectly covered make PBO an unlikely
choice for cruising. There is a new version of Dynema that was
specifically developed for standing rigging. Dynema (made under
license as Spectra in the US) is great stuff and ideal for rigging
except that it is subject to creep (slow, plastic elongation under
continuous load). Dynema sk 78 greatly reduces creep and is as good
or better than PBO on paper and it is much cheaper. It may well be
the future of rigging even for cruising boats but for now wire, rod or
dyeform are the only really attractive options for high load standing
rigging on cruising boats.

What's wrong with galvanized? My father used it on his 20 foot
schooner. It was enormously stronger than it really needed to be.
Used four months a year, on fresh water, no test of longevity.

Casady

From an all out racer's point of view wire rope is heavy and light
weight "up there" results in less heel and a faster boat, thus the
discussion of light weight synthetic rigging.

As far as galvanized rigging goes, if properly treated and maintained,
it probably last longer then stainless. But the maintenance is
horrendous.

First of all galvanized needs to be spliced around heavy wall thimbles
or spelter sockets used. Then it needs to be wormed, parceled and
served. It needs to be painted with exotic "slush" made from Stockholm
tar, Japan dryer, linseed oil and several other "secret" ingredients.
It has to be regularly inspected and repainted yearly. Every few years
all the covering is cur off, the wire inspected and recovered.

But, if you are willing to do this religiously your rig will last you
the life of the boat.

Bruce in Bangkok
(brucepaigeATgmailDOTcom)