Remove life line cover
- Thread starter hewebb
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Why?
I believe the covering is molded onto the stranded wire so even if it were soft, it would not strip off. What is your reason for taking it off? I think replacing the lifeline would be a better choice. Check out Catalina Direct or Secosouth or possibly this site for materials/custom fabrication.
My cover was trashed in spots. The wire looks fine, no broken wires and no rust, but the failing cover made the safety line look warn out.
I noticed lots of room inside the stanchions for a larger covering. Off I went to ace hardware. In the plumbing section they had a white translucent PVC tubing made to send water from the wall to the fridge ice maker. The tubing was large enough to fit over my lifelines (just barely) and small enough to fit inside the stanchions. Perfect, plus it looks good!
Because the line is translucent, I can see inside to see if water is acting on the cable.
Just a few cents a foot cut to any length.
Looks better than new and should last many years.
We do not sail in the ocean, small lake in Nebraska where you are always close to shore. We are fair weather sailors. If I were out away from land, I would only replace the whole line.
We tend to lean on the stanshions far more than the safety line. I replaced the stanshions with taller, stronger ones.
I noticed lots of room inside the stanchions for a larger covering. Off I went to ace hardware. In the plumbing section they had a white translucent PVC tubing made to send water from the wall to the fridge ice maker. The tubing was large enough to fit over my lifelines (just barely) and small enough to fit inside the stanchions. Perfect, plus it looks good!
Because the line is translucent, I can see inside to see if water is acting on the cable.
Just a few cents a foot cut to any length.
Looks better than new and should last many years.
We do not sail in the ocean, small lake in Nebraska where you are always close to shore. We are fair weather sailors. If I were out away from land, I would only replace the whole line.
We tend to lean on the stanshions far more than the safety line. I replaced the stanshions with taller, stronger ones.
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I hope it doesn't turn out that you have just added another great hiding spot where moisture can create its destruction. That's the problem with the covered lifelines in the first place, in my opinion. We changed our lines to ss and we are really happy......it was probably the best change we made on our boat. Money well spent.
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Yes
I just re-did the lifelines on my C36 with Suncor's swageless fittings. I bought the kits from Defender. They are quick and easy to install. The toughest part is cutting the wire if you don't have a special tool - I used a hacksaw. They look good, but I don't think the quality of the fittings is as good as Johnson or Merriman (not defunct). I'm having some trouble with the Pelican hooks. I'll give a full report/review when I resolve it all.
I had to remove one end to replace the new sleeve I used. I cut the old off cleanly with a cordless dewalt grinding wheel. Walked through it like butter.hewebb said:
The end I replaced was harbor frieght. No brand name. Stainless steel. Marked 316 L. Had just a couple left on close out. Would I feel safe using this on the mast rigging? It would scare me to death. But then, just exactly what is made here anymore?
My sailboat is all inland use, small lake, no bad weather. If I were blue watering this boat I would replace it all with non covered SS.
The OP replied "Decided to replace the life lines. Have any you used the swageless fittings? Were the successful? What brand?"
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