I've started a new thread about this because I think you bring up an
interesting topic [called "Rope as replacement for lifelines" and it is
just divergent enough to warrant that. I'd very much appreciate anyone
else's opinion or insight about this topic, and especially any
experience anyone has with it.


Gary wrote:
Roger Long wrote:

I think I will replace mine with plain wire. The Genoa and I rub
against and grab the plain wire shrouds all the time without any sign
of a problem. I took the split PVC covers off the shrouds and was
amazed at the gunk underneath. Can't be good for a metal that needs a
replenishing supply of oxygen to avoid corrosion.

I've heard or seen something somewhere about using some of the new
super low stretch rope for lifelines.
Has anyone heard about that idea?

I have seen many different parts of a boats rigging being replaced with
new high modulus ropes. The multihull world is embracing rope because
of the weight savings. They are certainly strong enough and look good
but the are a couple issues that warrant thought. First of all is the
UV degredation. It is much greater in any rope than in wire and
requires more frequent replacement. The second thing is nicks. Wire
will stand some abuse but a nicked rope will be much weaker. I have
seen a couple boat lose their rigs because of nicks in rope backstays.
Finally the splices in the new ropes are much more challenging and many
require special splices to ensure the strength isn't lost.

It is doable but think about pros and cons first.

Gary

7x7 uncoated is hard to come by but 1x19 is fairly common. A good bit
stiffer but that shouldn't make much difference for lifelines.

I have 100' of 1/4" Amsteel Blue which I am considering using. Stronger,
easier to fabricate and a lot cheaper installed. If I can just get past
having blue lifelines. :-)

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

"Capt. JG" wrote in message
...
Has anyone done this? It seems like the PVC just contributes to life line
degradation. If so, what was your source for the wire/fittings?

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"Capt. JG" wrote in news:12eh93v7qls6u04
@corp.supernews.com:

Has anyone done this? It seems like the PVC just contributes to life line
degradation. If so, what was your source for the wire/fittings?

Since this question is being posted in rec.boats.CRUISING instead of a racing
forum I'll point out that life lines are also used as clothes lines and
there's no way that any woman that I know of would hang clothes on a SS line
that probably has specks of rust on it. You probably would get a lot of
chaffing from uncoated wire also.

-- Geoff

"Geoff Schultz" wrote in message
...
"Capt. JG" wrote in news:12eh93v7qls6u04
@corp.supernews.com:

Has anyone done this? It seems like the PVC just contributes to life line
degradation. If so, what was your source for the wire/fittings?

Since this question is being posted in rec.boats.CRUISING instead of a
racing
forum I'll point out that life lines are also used as clothes lines and
there's no way that any woman that I know of would hang clothes on a SS
line
that probably has specks of rust on it. You probably would get a lot of
chaffing from uncoated wire also.

-- Geoff

So, it's a good new/bad news situation. :-)

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com