Life Lines
- Thread starter Rxman47
- Start date
Pretty much any rigging outfit can do that and in fact, we can do it for you, too. http://shop.hunterowners.com
Just send us an inquiry here
Just send us an inquiry here
Rx,
I changed out my LL's two years ago. My boat neighbor with a beautiful re-done Morgan 44 replaced his with 316 stainless steel, not the 304ss grade.
I do believe the run-of-the-mill coated lines are 304ss (too much carbon in the mix). The 316ss lines I have also is bare & has no pvc/vinyl coatings. I did move up in wire size based on my stanchion pass thru eyes. The non-coated lines are smooth to the touch & I find very appealing to the eye. No more having to see coatings get dirty, rusty (304ss), discolored or crack over time. Riggers have both grades.
Just some food for thought as I use 316ss for all my rigging.
CR
I changed out my LL's two years ago. My boat neighbor with a beautiful re-done Morgan 44 replaced his with 316 stainless steel, not the 304ss grade.
I do believe the run-of-the-mill coated lines are 304ss (too much carbon in the mix). The 316ss lines I have also is bare & has no pvc/vinyl coatings. I did move up in wire size based on my stanchion pass thru eyes. The non-coated lines are smooth to the touch & I find very appealing to the eye. No more having to see coatings get dirty, rusty (304ss), discolored or crack over time. Riggers have both grades.
Just some food for thought as I use 316ss for all my rigging.
CR
I did the same- used one size up 316 1 x 19. I don't think the coated lifelines are safe in a salt water environment- can't see corrosion. In fact, offshore racing rules don't allow coated lifelines.
One real problem with coated lifelines is the coating. Great for humans, bad for wire. The coating prevents oxygen from getting to the wire. Which sounds great BUT oxygen starvation leads to crevice corrosion and RUST. That's why you see rust coming out of the cracks in coated lifelines. I know, I know, that goes against everything we've been taught about preserving metals in a marine environment. But step back and look at your stays. They've been out there just as long as your lifelines and they look great, don't they? That's because oxygen can get to the wire and PREVENT RUST. You (boaters in general and not you, TSBB) need to keep an eye on the swages and connectors where they completely seal the wire in. Can't get air into the fittings and yep, corrosion starts there at what seems to be the stoutest parts of the rigging.
So if you really want comfort against your lifelines, go to Wally World and buy a pool noodle. Put a half twist in it and cut a straight line through it. Keeps it on the lines better.
Or you can get these, instead.
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?9279
And support our happy little forum a bit.
There have been several articles in the past year in various sailing related mags about replacing life lines with Dyneema. I know Good Old Boat has, and I think Sail also. Here's an article about replacing wire lines yourself. http://www.sailmagazine.com/boatworks-upgrades/replacing-your-lifelines
Hmmm… maybe that's a project I'll add to my list for next year...
Hmmm… maybe that's a project I'll add to my list for next year...