Difference in Line

[rpwillia]

I go to West Marine in Alexandria, Va to get some new line for my traveler. Since I sometimes have challenged crew when racing I want line with red flecks for the port side and line with green flecks for the starboard. Naturally WM has only line with red flecks and is out of stock for the green fleck. :cussing: I get the red fleck and copy the number and decide to order it online. A friend recommends riggingonline.com and I go there and using the number order the rest of my line with the green fleck. It looks the same but has a different (dare I say nicer texture ) that the stuff from WM which has a bit of a slick feel. WTFO, both are New England rope and have the same part number. What gives?

 

[thinwater]

I go to West Marine in Alexandria, Va to get some new line for my traveler. Since I sometimes have challenged crew when racing I want line with red flecks for the port side and line with green flecks for the starboard. Naturally WM has only line with red flecks and is out of stock for the green fleck. :cussing: I get the red fleck and copy the number and decide to order it online. A friend recommends riggingonline.com and I go there and using the number order the rest of my line with the green fleck. It looks the same but has a different (dare I say nicer texture ) that the stuff from WM which has a bit of a slick feel. WTFO, both are New England rope and have the same part number. What gives?

Same part number?

Probably a variation in the amount of spinning lubricant and after a few rains and a little use there would be no difference.

 

[rpwillia]

I can only hope the WM stuff becomes like the other

If I were to look at the line side by side I would choose the Non-WM rope every time. Both are the same New England ropes part #. The rigging only stuff looks and feels like the rope that came from the factory which also seems to hold up better. Perhaps WM has a "special" process done to their line to "ahem" make it more affordable.

Perhaps the next time I need line I will get it from here for another comparison.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I buy line here. I did the same for my traveler lines and had no problem getting exactly what I wanted. Just talk with Dave.