Life Line Replacement

[Bob Bond]

The life lines on my 1991 Hunter 28 have become cracked and discolored. Thefore, I would like to replace them all. Where is the best place to acquire these life lines and about how much should I expect to spend on this project?

 

[carol donovan]

it's not cheap...

Hi Bob:Lifelines are multiwire cable encased in plastic to shield the cable from the elements and prevent fraying. From your post, it seems that the casing is worn, not the cable. You might want to try giving the casing a good scrub with acetone followed by a UV protectant - on my 1980 H33 I also taped the ends of the casing as it was starting to 'peel' away from the cable at the fittings. The cable diameter and running footage determine the cost. You could be looking at a couple hundred dollars for replacement lines for 28 feet, and that can escalate even higher if you have to replace the pelican hooks. Just a thought./cs/v Twilight

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

Don't use acetone!!!

Or any other solvent!! Acetone will degrade the plastic sheathing and cause it to split...creating a worse problem. I noticed just a couple of weeks ago that the plastic sheathing was cracking and falling away from the stainless cable lifelines on friend's Beneteau. The stainless cable is in fine shape...only the plastic sheathing. When I asked if the covering could be replaced, he said no. But unless it is replaced, the cable will start to deteriorate. Seems to me there's a marketing opportunity here: "replacement lifeline covering"--flexible tubing that could be slipped on over the existing lifelines and secured at the ends to keep moisture out. Meanwhile, why not investigate using some 1/4" (?) white flexible hose to make new lifeline covers?

 

[Mark]

Do it Yourself??

I replaced my life lines a year ago for my '83 30ft Hunter. I was considering doing it myself at West Marine with their hand swedging machine. We priced everything out including adding a "gate" on both sides (which really means additional fittings). Price was $400.00. We ended up having our local chanderly (Fawacetts in Annapolis, MD, sailing capital of the US) do it during their yearly sale. Cost was $440.00. It was a no brainer to have the experts do it and have everything MACHINE swedged. Prior to removing our life lines we marked both sides of stantions where we wanted the gate. Took the lines off, gave them to the chanderly, two week later they were back and they fit beautifully.It is my understanding that you can get the same type of service from JSI. Basically you do the same thing as we did. Mark everything if you want changes made. Send them to JSI, and in about 3-4 weeks they arrive back in the mail. Price everything out at West Marine or BoatUS first to see what ball park you are in. But again, for us, the $40 difference was worth the peace of mind it was going to be done right.Good LuckMark Whitson

 

[Dennis]

Write the Check

I replaced mine last year. I brought the old lines into a local West Marine and they had a local shop do the job.