I've decided to try a very low stretch kevlar core double braid of 5/32" o.d. to replace my old vinyl coated 1x19 wire topping lift oon my C-36. I plan on splicing an eye with a SS thimble in each ond of a 40' piece and use a single block and a 5/16" sta-set tail on the lower end. Questions: 1. comments on suitability of this material in place of the wire? 2. how to splice kevlar core rope? Thanks, jv
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Frank Pratt
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Justin - O'day Owners' Web
Why Kevlar?
John - Why did you choose Kevlar? I would think that a bit of give in the topping lift could be a good thing. Remember that even a comparatively elastic line will only strech 8% or so at breaking load, basically nothing a SWL. I don't think you're going to hurt anything using Kevlar, but in addition to be more expensive, its a pain in the neck to splice. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
John - Why did you choose Kevlar? I would think that a bit of give in the topping lift could be a good thing. Remember that even a comparatively elastic line will only strech 8% or so at breaking load, basically nothing a SWL. I don't think you're going to hurt anything using Kevlar, but in addition to be more expensive, its a pain in the neck to splice. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
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John Visser
I can't find it
Can you please narow it down a bit, I looked and couldn't find any reference. Thanks, jv
Can you please narow it down a bit, I looked and couldn't find any reference. Thanks, jv
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Don Evans
Toss's Spartalk
John, go back to Brions' site and ask in his spartalk forum. I gotta agree with Justin though. Seems rather exotic for a topping lift. I'd stick with wire, but not vinyl coated. Water can migrate down the inside of the vinyl, inducing corrosion thats hidden under the vinyl. I have a wire lift with a short lenth of double braid spliced on the end as a tail. Nothing much cheaper or secure as that. See what Brion thinks, though. Don
John, go back to Brions' site and ask in his spartalk forum. I gotta agree with Justin though. Seems rather exotic for a topping lift. I'd stick with wire, but not vinyl coated. Water can migrate down the inside of the vinyl, inducing corrosion thats hidden under the vinyl. I have a wire lift with a short lenth of double braid spliced on the end as a tail. Nothing much cheaper or secure as that. See what Brion thinks, though. Don
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John Visser
Kevlar
I chose the kevlar core stuff because it is very low stretch and very strong in small sizes. I don't like the boom bouncing on a stretchy topping lift. It was cheaper than wire, i think, at $0.49/ft. jv
I chose the kevlar core stuff because it is very low stretch and very strong in small sizes. I don't like the boom bouncing on a stretchy topping lift. It was cheaper than wire, i think, at $0.49/ft. jv
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Joe
Splicing and Kevlar.
All of the cordage manufacturers have splicing instructions for all of their products on their websites. I leave it to you to find the website. There are a couple different splicing systems availiable from any local or online marine store. Kevlar may be difficult to work with, also what about UV exposure and brittleness? I know that racing yachts often have kevlar runners but they are specially built. I would consider a spectra or technora core with a sta-set cover. The single braids are very easy to splice an eye in, then you simply need to bury the cover. New England Ropes' or Samson's website will give you instructions for these splices. My other suggestion is to call or visit Annapolis Performance Sailing http://www.apsltd.com/ Great guys, great service and great prices.
All of the cordage manufacturers have splicing instructions for all of their products on their websites. I leave it to you to find the website. There are a couple different splicing systems availiable from any local or online marine store. Kevlar may be difficult to work with, also what about UV exposure and brittleness? I know that racing yachts often have kevlar runners but they are specially built. I would consider a spectra or technora core with a sta-set cover. The single braids are very easy to splice an eye in, then you simply need to bury the cover. New England Ropes' or Samson's website will give you instructions for these splices. My other suggestion is to call or visit Annapolis Performance Sailing http://www.apsltd.com/ Great guys, great service and great prices.
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Joe
Oh, one more thing...
... you will have less "creep" if you limit the core to UV treated high tech single-braid. Strip the cover off a softer double braid product like Samson XLS or New England Sta-Set and cover the portion of the core that will be winched and handled. Presto!! A super strong double-braid that "tapers" to a super strong no-stretch single braid that will roll over the sheave if necessary and resist sun damage.
... you will have less "creep" if you limit the core to UV treated high tech single-braid. Strip the cover off a softer double braid product like Samson XLS or New England Sta-Set and cover the portion of the core that will be winched and handled. Presto!! A super strong double-braid that "tapers" to a super strong no-stretch single braid that will roll over the sheave if necessary and resist sun damage.
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Bob Camarena
Rigid Vang
Why not just toss the topping lift and install a rigid vang from Garhauer? It's a bit more expensive, but not all that expensive. I love mine and there's one less thing to fool with, especially when reefing.
Why not just toss the topping lift and install a rigid vang from Garhauer? It's a bit more expensive, but not all that expensive. I love mine and there's one less thing to fool with, especially when reefing.
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Joe
I second that motion.....
... the heck with the topping lift. I just put a Garhauer rigid vang on my C27, total cost $190, because the topping lift was such a pain. It needed constant attention after every turn due to the larger roach of my new main. The rigid vang is happening!!!
... the heck with the topping lift. I just put a Garhauer rigid vang on my C27, total cost $190, because the topping lift was such a pain. It needed constant attention after every turn due to the larger roach of my new main. The rigid vang is happening!!!
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