Cleaning lines (ropes to the lubbers!)
 

I have had good luck using a consumer grade pressure washer to clean
the green off my lines. I had some lines that looked aweful and came
up beautifully after pressure washing. It is a little time consuming,
but the results are good. The trick is to get close enough with the
pressure washer to clean the line, but not do any damage.

Tim
http://www.tgw.net

Cleaning lines (ropes to the lubbers!)
 

Is the boat in the water all year? If so, how about buying two sets of lines
(after money is more available) and rotating them. Take some home to dry for
a month, while the others turn green on the boat.

"Lloyd Sumpter" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Spring Cleaning time for Far Cove! I usually replace the lines, but
this year money's a bit tight. They're perfectly servicable, just rather
green from the Wet Coast's winter wetness. What's a good/safe way to clean
them? I heard an oxygen-based bleach like Oxy-Clean was good for sails -
how about dacron lines?

Same question for sail covers.

Lloyd Sumpter
"Far Cove" Catalina 36 - shiny engine, not so shiny lines.

Cleaning lines (ropes to the lubbers!)
 

Is the boat in the water all year? If so, how about buying two sets of lines
(after money is more available) and rotating them. Take some home to dry for
a month, while the others turn green on the boat.

"Lloyd Sumpter" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Spring Cleaning time for Far Cove! I usually replace the lines, but
this year money's a bit tight. They're perfectly servicable, just rather
green from the Wet Coast's winter wetness. What's a good/safe way to clean
them? I heard an oxygen-based bleach like Oxy-Clean was good for sails -
how about dacron lines?

Same question for sail covers.

Lloyd Sumpter
"Far Cove" Catalina 36 - shiny engine, not so shiny lines.

Cleaning lines (ropes to the lubbers!)
 

When I get a particularly groady looking line, I just toss it into the 5-gallon
bucket of boatwash while I'm scrub brushing the boat.

By the time the boat has been soaped down, there has been enough "agitation" in
the bucket to clean the line up a lot.

Spread the soapy line on the deck and rinse it off when rinsing the last
section of the boat.

Not as fancy as using a front-loading washer, but it doesn't involve schlepping
lines off to the laundromat or home to the family machine. Sticking a slimy
green line into the Maytag may require a spouse with
reasonably tolerant standards.

Cleaning lines (ropes to the lubbers!)
 

When I get a particularly groady looking line, I just toss it into the 5-gallon
bucket of boatwash while I'm scrub brushing the boat.

By the time the boat has been soaped down, there has been enough "agitation" in
the bucket to clean the line up a lot.

Spread the soapy line on the deck and rinse it off when rinsing the last
section of the boat.

Not as fancy as using a front-loading washer, but it doesn't involve schlepping
lines off to the laundromat or home to the family machine. Sticking a slimy
green line into the Maytag may require a spouse with
reasonably tolerant standards.

Cleaning lines (ropes to the lubbers!)
 

timwh wrote:
I have had good luck using a consumer grade pressure washer to clean
the green off my lines. I had some lines that looked aweful and came
up beautifully after pressure washing.

I'd worry about the pressure washer causing abrasion to the lines as it
was cleaning them.

DSK

Cleaning lines (ropes to the lubbers!)
 

timwh wrote:
I have had good luck using a consumer grade pressure washer to clean
the green off my lines. I had some lines that looked aweful and came
up beautifully after pressure washing.

I'd worry about the pressure washer causing abrasion to the lines as it
was cleaning them.

DSK

Cleaning lines (ropes to the lubbers!)
 

Many folks say not to put lines in the washing machine but I find that they
get clean and stay supple and comfortable to handle after being run through
the machine. Any frayed ends will worsen, so if possible fix that before
washing the lines. (Allocate plenty of time to untie them! They really get
knotted together)! If you have a mix of colored and white lines, I'd wash
each color separately.

Don Dando


"Lloyd Sumpter" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Spring Cleaning time for Far Cove! I usually replace the lines, but
this year money's a bit tight. They're perfectly servicable, just rather
green from the Wet Coast's winter wetness. What's a good/safe way to clean
them? I heard an oxygen-based bleach like Oxy-Clean was good for sails -
how about dacron lines?

Same question for sail covers.

Lloyd Sumpter
"Far Cove" Catalina 36 - shiny engine, not so shiny lines.

Cleaning lines (ropes to the lubbers!)
 

Many folks say not to put lines in the washing machine but I find that they
get clean and stay supple and comfortable to handle after being run through
the machine. Any frayed ends will worsen, so if possible fix that before
washing the lines. (Allocate plenty of time to untie them! They really get
knotted together)! If you have a mix of colored and white lines, I'd wash
each color separately.

Don Dando


"Lloyd Sumpter" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Spring Cleaning time for Far Cove! I usually replace the lines, but
this year money's a bit tight. They're perfectly servicable, just rather
green from the Wet Coast's winter wetness. What's a good/safe way to clean
them? I heard an oxygen-based bleach like Oxy-Clean was good for sails -
how about dacron lines?

Same question for sail covers.

Lloyd Sumpter
"Far Cove" Catalina 36 - shiny engine, not so shiny lines.

Cleaning lines (ropes to the lubbers!)
 

Actually, the first time I tried to wash lines in a regular washing machine
they ended up tightly wrapped around the agitator, and several strands
got pulled under the agitator and jammed. Once I got it all cleared out,
the lines were chafed due to the friction. Started braiding them and using
a front loading machine after that.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Keith" wrote in message
...
Nah, just throw them in. They will come out all in a bunch, but it just
takes a little while to untangle them. It's easier if you use fabric
softner. No abnormal stress or wear on the machine, of course don't
overload
it.

--


Keith
__
"I want to rush for 1,000 or 1,500 yards, whichever comes first.
-New Orleans Saint RB George Rogers
"MMC" wrote in message
om...
Keith,
Does this cause a lot of wear and tear on the washing machine? Do you
put
the lines in a net bag or toss them in as is?
Merlin.
"Keith" wrote in message
...
I've used braided dock lines forever. Now I have floating docks, so I
just
keep them all tight, no problem. I also use nothing but black, since
it's
the most UV stable color, and doesn't show dirt. I wash them once a
year
or
so in the washing machine on gentle cycle, warm water, with Woolite
(or
cheap Wal-Mart substitute) and use fabric softner. DON'T dry in the
dryer,
just hang out or put back in use.

--


Keith
__
Drive defensively. Buy a tank.
"Dave" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 08 Mar 2004 14:45:34 -0800, "Lloyd Sumpter"

said:

Spring Cleaning time for Far Cove! I usually replace the lines, but
this year money's a bit tight.

Good lord, talk about conspicuous consumption. I don't think I
replaced
the
dock lines on my old Islander 24 in the entire 15 years I owned her.
Of
course admittedly they didn't get much of a chance to chafe, since a
good
part of the time was spent on a mooring rather than at a dock.

Does bring up a question, however. I see that the marine stores seem
to
sell
braided nylon lines for tying up to a dock. I've never thought that
made
much sense, since my impression is that braided has considerably
less
stretch than 3 strand of the same diameter, and I'd prefer to have
that
stretch to take up shock and to some extent allow for extraordinary
low
tides (not to mention the fact that it's a lot easier to throw an
eye
splice
in 3 strand).. What do you folks think?

Dave