Floating Line

[Rick Webb]

Anyone have recommendations for a floating line that does not rot away with UV?

We are replacing the painters on our 420 fleet and would prefer a line that floats. I replaced them about three years ago with some inexpensive line from a box store worked out well except it degrades in the sun. Maybe cheap is the way to go and just replace every couple of years.

 

[kloudie1]

Cheap and replace if ya want floating, Rick. The Dyneema stuff and jacketed polypro are fairly expensive ..
This looks interesting but may have a hard "hand" and not be suitable for cleats.. if ya buy a lot, it is kinda cheap dunno how many boats ya have to put lines on..
http://www.go2marine.com/product/11766F/crab-rope-silver-pacific-floating-line-1-200-feet.html

 

[Rick Webb]

Thanks

That does look interesting but with only 10 boats we do not need 1,200 feet. Does make me think though we may be in Biloxi next month and I could look to see what they have for crab pots and stuff. I know Pitallo's is gone but there was a place on 49 in Gulfport Jack's maybe, they catered to the fisherman and shrimpers.

 

[Dave Groshong]

Samson float line is great for painters:
https://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?18858

 

[JamesG161]

worked out well except it degrades in the sun

Bad news is all polymers degrade in Sun.

Some just do it slower than others or have a UV adsorption coating. Most Life Slings have floating ropes. Check bargains on ski ropes. End of season soon.
Jim...

 

[Rick Webb]

The polypropylene ski line type of stuff works but is rough on the hands. We have used that on our Optis.

The stuff I last used was soft right up to when it fell apart.

 

[NYSail]

I bought New England 7/16 dingy floating line..... about $1.10 per foot. Have had it on dingy now for 6+ years. Not as pretty as it once was but still floats, easy on the hands, ties a good knot and can still pull the dingy behind the boat (double painters on long trips).

 

[dlochner]

Samson float line is great for painters:
https://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?18858

 

[pateco]

Buy Black Polypropylene line it is much more UV resistant than other colors. Below is a link to Amazon $.42/foot for 100' black


Solid Braid Rope - 1/4-Inch, 5/16-Inch, 3/8-Inch, 1/2-Inch, 5/8-Inch (Several Colors & Sizes)

 

[SG]

Replacing it every few years is probably the easiest thing to do, in my opinion.

However, if you're fixated on a longer lasting solution, and immediate cost isn't the issue, you could take the polypropylene line and put a Dacron "jacket" on it. The Dacron will last longer, be easier on the hands, and the line will probably float as long as you don't have too small a diameter polypropylene line.

I'd not go to that point. The other option is a "dingy painter float or series of floats? (Clearly not very "420-ish" and elegant ) ;^)))

 

[jwing]

Buy Black Polypropylene line it is much more UV resistant than other colors. Below is a link to Amazon $.42/foot for 100' black


Solid Braid Rope - 1/4-Inch, 5/16-Inch, 3/8-Inch, 1/2-Inch, 5/8-Inch (Several Colors & Sizes)View attachment 140883

As I understand it, dark colors are more UV-resistant than light colors for everything, including, but not limited to, polypropylene rope.

 

[Bill Murray]

Go to your hardware store (or anywhere) and look for Derby rope. You will find something like https://www.amazon.com/WELLINGTON-7...qid=1505515526&sr=8-9&keywords=derby+rope+5/8
Some stores carry it in big spools so you can buy whatever lengths you need.

While it is part poly polypropylene it is soft and stays that way even in the sun, it floats and in my experience is good for dinghy painter application for several years. Pretty cheap and attractive too.

 

[Bob S]

Bill
I bought that line from Lowes 10 years ago and just replaced it this season for a longer one. I read that you should tow your dinghy a boat length behind and we moved up this season. I am very pleased with this line.
Our season is short compared to many others

 

[pateco]

Go to your hardware store (or anywhere) and look for Derby rope. You will find something like https://www.amazon.com/WELLINGTON-75751-DERBY-SOLID-BRAID/dp/B000H5XWQW/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1505515526&sr=8-9&keywords=derby+rope+5/8
Some stores carry it in big spools so you can buy whatever lengths you need.

While it is part poly polypropylene it is soft and stays that way even in the sun, it floats and in my experience is good for dinghy painter application for several years. Pretty cheap and attractive too.

The rope I linked to was also called derby rope

Solid Braid Rope - 1/4-Inch, 5/16-Inch, 3/8-Inch, 1/2-Inch, 5/8-Inch (Several Colors & Sizes)