Life Lines

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thaeni

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Sep 28, 2008
120
Hunter 33.5 Chicago
I just inspected my life lines and found the stainless wire in
excellent condition but the white plastic tubing is all discolored
and cracked in some places. The Yard wants $600.00 to replace.
I was going to try re-coating the plastic tubing with a rubberized
paint like Plasti-Dip. Has anyone tried this or what are your thoughts.
Thanks
 
Ed Schenck

Ed Schenck

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Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
One thought. I just got an estimate for my 37' Hunter for four lifelines with ends, each about 32 feet in length. That estimate was a little over half of your estimate.

Another thought. If the covering is cracked and has rust-like stains then there is corrosion that you are not seeing. Especially likely at the swagged ends.
 
G

Guest

This is an easy do-it-yourself project with minimal tools. WM or other marine stores who sell the material also have the swage tool and wire cutters. I did it on our H28 for one third what the yard was going to charge.

Terry Cox
 
Manny

Manny

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Oct 5, 2006
983
Hunter 82? 37 Cutter Wherever the wind takes me
checkout Rigging Only. Measure up your lifelines and give them a call. Very reasonable and quick turnaround. If you go to their website and download their catalog you should be able to estimate the cost: www.riggingonly.com

Manny
 
Ed Schenck

Ed Schenck

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Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
Let us know what Rigging-Only quotes. I spent an hour on their website and could not find the actual wire costs, only the hardware. I did notice that their hardware is more than some other places that I checked. I am only interested in the wire and swagged ends so making my own might work. But so far the tool and the wire is about the same as the quote that I have.

Addendum: just went through the pricing exercise on WM where "7x7" coated lifeline is on sale. I require about four lines, 32' each, at $2.14 a foot. That is $274. Add eight studs at $11. each and the total, $362., is about my quote for the finished product. And I have not purchased the tool! Might be time to consider uncoated lifeline, 128' times 0.94 for 3/16" from Rigging Only.
 
Warren Milberg

Warren Milberg

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Dec 1, 1999
2,391
Hunter 28.5 Chesapeake Bay
Making up your own lifelines is not usually a difficult project as long as you measure a million times and cut once. When I did this job some years ago on a C&C I owned then, I bought the wire from Defender and the Hayns end fittings from West. I took it all into a local West Marine during the week when they were not busy. Used their rigging bench to cut and swage. Worked nicely and was about half what a rigging shop would have charged. If and when I replace the lifelines on my H28.5, I will use uncoated wire. That will allow me to increase the diameter of the wire for about the same price as smaller diameter wire that is coated. I would plan to cover some of the lifelines around the cockpit with plastic, removeable, shroud covers. I like the idea of being able to see the condition of the lifelines at all times.
 
Alan

Alan

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Jun 2, 2004
4,174
Hunter 35.5 LI, NY
Think about switching to Spectra. Kinder to hands and other body parts, stronger than steel, and not nearly as difficult to replace as steel.
 
G

Guest

Mr. Alan, how do you connect the spectra to gates and fittings?

Terry cox
 
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