"Tom Dacon" wrote in message
news
"Gordon" wrote in message
...
Thinking of putting ratlines on my lower shrouds. Whats a good wood?
Thinking maybe Doug fir.
The first step will be a sheer pole. Up 16 inches will be a prestretched
dacron rope rung. Another rope rung 16 inches up from that.
Then a wood step, the 2 more ropes etc.
Any thoughts?
Gordon

Teak, left bare and unfinished, gives a good grip on your feet,
particularly as it continues to weather. It'll last practically forever
without maintenance.

Your plan of one wood, two rope and repeat is a good one, but as you get
closer to the top you might consider going with just rope (see my comment
below about chafe). I'd also put them a bit closer together, maybe 12
inches or even better whatever the step spacing is on a common stepladder.
It'd make it a little easier to catch the next step when the boat's
bouncing around.

One problem to think about is chafe on the sails from the aft end of the
wooden ratlines, when the sails are eased well off.

Tom Dacon

Baggywrinkles

Alisdair

Alisdair Gurney wrote:

"Tom Dacon" wrote in message

One problem to think about is chafe on the sails from the aft end of the
wooden ratlines, when the sails are eased well off.

Tom Dacon

Baggywrinkles

Alisdair

Which give more windage. But if you follow Brion Toss' instructions (he
really seem to be the authority on many rigging questions), you put the
wooden lines between the shrouds, so that they do not protrude outside at
all. And cover the ends with the lashing that keeps them in place. May
still give a bit of chafe, but nowhere near as much as a stick left
pointing out...

-H