I am replacing my lifelines soon and I wonder if anyone here has
ever thought of fitting solid rail between the regular
stanchions…it would be pretty strong, if only a little heavy? Or
would it look funny? I don’t even know what it would cost…
Thoughts welcome.
-Julian
BCC Patience
|
I think it would be unnecessary and costly. Vinyl covered stainless
cable looks nice and is more than strong enough.
Just my opinon, your mileage may vary. Bob Eeg pelenur wrote: I am replacing my lifelines soon and I wonder if anyone here has ever thought of fitting solid rail between the regular stanchions...it would be pretty strong, if only a little heavy? Or would it look funny? I don't even know what it would cost... |
I believe the Offshore Racing Council now requires uncovered
stainless steel wire for lifelines. Most people are going to 1 x 19
over 7 x 7 because of ‘meat hooks’ (broken stands)that occur in the
more flexible multi-strand wire.
My experience with the vinyl covered wire is that it lasts around 5
years before water works its way under the exposed ends or cracks
where it passes through the stantions where rust forms and breaks
down the wire where can no longer be trusted.
I’m about to replace mine again this year and am going to try using
3/8 pre-stretched 3-strand made by Marlow. The 8mm (5/16) or 10mm
(3/8)should fit my stantion holes and have a 3,500 and 5,300 lb
breaking strength. I think they will be low stretch enough to work
well and holds up to UV degradation (my topping lift and staysail
halyard is the same rope and has been up 23 years.)I think by spicing
in eyes and using ‘small stuff’ at terminal ends it will look good,
serve well and last longer than the vinyl covered wire.
I also feel the rope lifelines will be a lot cheaper than 1 x 19 with
swedged ends although the rope may prove tougher to keep clean
looking.
Stan on Waxwing
To All,
Practical Sailor ran a series of articles this year on rope life lines. They discussed pros and cons of many different types of line and a variety of methods for terminating the ends. They provided a good bit of info about breaking strength and “safe working loads.” PS Mailbag (letters to the editor) also provided a lot of feed back on what the readers were using. All in all, it was very informative.
Regards,
John
Stan,
I have 3-strand lifelines as well. Something you may want to consider when
you change is to whip the line where it passes through the stantions. It
cuts down on wear to the lifeline and if the whipping wears it is easy and
cheap to replace.
Doug
s/v “Fritha”
----- Original Message -----
From: “Stan and Barbara Roeder” <waxwingers@yahoo.com >
To: <bcc@yahoogroups.com >
Sent: Saturday, August 23, 2003 4:01 AM
Subject: [bcc] Re: solid rail lifelines
I believe the Offshore Racing Council now requires uncovered
stainless steel wire for lifelines. Most people are going to 1 x 19
over 7 x 7 because of ‘meat hooks’ (broken stands)that occur in the
more flexible multi-strand wire.My experience with the vinyl covered wire is that it lasts around 5
years before water works its way under the exposed ends or cracks
where it passes through the stantions where rust forms and breaks
down the wire where can no longer be trusted.I’m about to replace mine again this year and am going to try using
3/8 pre-stretched 3-strand made by Marlow. The 8mm (5/16) or 10mm
(3/8)should fit my stantion holes and have a 3,500 and 5,300 lb
breaking strength. I think they will be low stretch enough to work
well and holds up to UV degradation (my topping lift and staysail
halyard is the same rope and has been up 23 years.)I think by spicing
in eyes and using ‘small stuff’ at terminal ends it will look good,
serve well and last longer than the vinyl covered wire.I also feel the rope lifelines will be a lot cheaper than 1 x 19 with
swedged ends although the rope may prove tougher to keep clean
looking.Stan on Waxwing
BRISTOL CHANNEL CUTTER OWNERS ASSOCIATION
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