Lifeline Replacement

n4lbl · May 4, 2012

I'm faced with that too. Don Casey in *This Old Boat* (second edition) p.
137 recommends uncoated SS type 316 1X19 rigging wire and that is what I
intend to use.

Alan

pjacobs55 · May 4, 2012

Wrote a little thing about my lifeline project in my blog, which I believe
the Vega site links to. Used uncoated (required by ABYC, BTW) 1 by 19. Stiff
but makes a good job and doesn't snag hairs!

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SVFlyAway · May 4, 2012

Brion Toss recommends and uses a rope. That is what I used. It is one of
the new high-tech fibers, I can't remember the type, but can find out if
anyone is interested. The advantage is that it can easily be done by
yourself and is probably stronger than wire anyway. He uses a multiple
lashing at the forward so it is easy to tension. I didn't put any gate in
my lifeline as I fine I usually tape them closed anyway when doing serious
cruising (of course I have to make a bigger step getting into the boat, but
that keeps my knees more flexible anyway).

tim_klynn · May 4, 2012

I think the offshore racers are required to use uncoated wire because the coating can hide corrosion.

Colligo makes/sells fittings for synthetic dynex dux: http://www.colligomarine.com/vmchk/Synthetic-lifelines.htm
Dynex Dux is used for rigging and I think is a little stiffer than SK75. Dux needs a large bending radius to keep it's strength (hence the big, goofy fittings)

If I went the synthetic line route, I would probably go with the Dux, as it's been around as rigging for awhile.On my little Santana 20, I redid the lifelines using some of the old standing rigging that I had replaced. I used some Hayn Hi-Mod fittings for the ends of the wire.

I'm going to try using some Amsteel for the backstay on the S20, as the roach of the main has a hard time clearing it in very light air.
I'm not sure if Amsteel holds up for a long time in UV (I know it is resistant). On the S20, we have the mast down at least once a month to travel to other lake, so I can keep an eye on it. .

I need to replace the standing rigging on the Vega, and am tempted to use Dynex Dux, but I am hoping that Peter does it first (so I don't have to be the guinea pig). -Tim

________________________________
From: Kevin kevincw@...
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, May 4, 2012 1:13 PM
Subject: [AlbinVega] Lifeline Replacement

I've got to replace my lifelines - and I've got access to some UNCOATED stainless cable. The current ones are coated. Are there any comments one way or the other about coated vrs uncoated?

Additionally, I've got those white "shroud boots / plastic sleeves" covering the base of my shrouds. I'm thinking that they just make it hard for me to do a glancing check on their condition every time I go forward . . . so I'm thinking of removing them.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Kevin Woods
Nossa #1039

n4lbl · May 4, 2012

Tim:

Remember that at 5,000 feet above sea level we have (lots?) more UV than
at sea level.

Alan

tim_klynn · May 4, 2012

My built in UV detector ( bald head) definitely indicates that there is more UV up here than at sea level. I would guess it is similar to near the equator.

Right now, I've got part of the S20's cascading backstay in Amsteel. It's been in for a year and still looks good.
We gave it a good test a couple of weekends ago in some very gusty conditions. I'm going to change it out when I redo the backstay.
It would be interesting to load it to failure to see what a year of UV exposure did to it. tg
________________________________
From: n4lbl alan.schulman@...
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, May 4, 2012 4:53 PM
Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Lifeline Replacement

Tim:

Remember that at 5,000 feet above sea level we have (lots?) more UV than
at sea level.

Alan

n4lbl · May 4, 2012

"... It would be interesting to ..."

Remember the old curse "May you live in interesting times."

txsailcouple · May 4, 2012

Interesting thread. I presently have coated lifelines that have been on since we bought the 'Southern Comfort Too' in Houston, TX 6 or 7 years ago.
My question is, Would it be recomended to remove the coating? Since it has numerous cracks in the coating and appears to be quite brittle. I think
it would come off with no trouble at all.

On a different note, I recently met an interesting character runnning a marine engine shop nearby named 'Gunner' (Gunner's Marine). I was looking for a replacement exhaust pipe that
I found was completely rusted through its back seam the first time I turned the penta over this year. It only took him about two minutes to put his hands on one. I was
amazed (and overjoyed) to say the least. He also had many shelves of penta parts, if I needed anything else... not to mention two complete engines. His shop
is located in Kemah, Texas. He is presently working on locating an engine crank for me. He might be a good source for some on this side of the pond.

John

________________________________
From: n4lbl alan.schulman@...
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, May 4, 2012 6:35 PM
Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Lifeline Replacement

"... It would be interesting to ..."

Remember the old curse "May you live in interesting times."

tim_klynn · May 4, 2012

If it were my boat, I'd decide if I really need lifelines on it or not. Where I currently sail, if my lifelines broke and I went over, the worst I'd have is a mile or so swim, so I would probably just leave them as is (easiest). However , before I took my boat out somewhere whereI might actually really need lifelines, I would at least strip them to see what kind of internal shape they are in. Realistically, I would probably replace them. I'm kind of bad that way, I like to replace old or worn things at my convenience, instead of when I have no choice but to do so (I hope my girlfriend doesn't read this...) Tim
________________________________
From: John & Carol txsailcouple@...
To: "AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com" AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, May 4, 2012 7:11 PM
Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Lifeline Replacement

Interesting thread. I presently have coated lifelines that have been on since we bought the 'Southern Comfort Too' in Houston, TX 6 or 7 years ago.
My question is, Would it be recomended to remove the coating? Since it has numerous cracks in the coating and appears to be quite brittle. I think
it would come off with no trouble at all.

On a different note, I recently met an interesting character runnning a marine engine shop nearby named 'Gunner' (Gunner's Marine). I was looking for a replacement exhaust pipe that
I found was completely rusted through its back seam the first time I turned the penta over this year. It only took him about two minutes to put his hands on one. I was
amazed (and overjoyed) to say the least. He also had many shelves of penta parts, if I needed anything else... not to mention two complete engines. His shop
is located in Kemah, Texas. He is presently working on locating an engine crank for me. He might be a good source for some on this side of the pond.

John

________________________________
From: n4lbl alan.schulman@...
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, May 4, 2012 6:35 PM
Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Lifeline Replacement

"... It would be interesting to ..."

Remember the old curse "May you live in interesting times."

n6ric · May 4, 2012

I plan on replacing my lifelines with synthetic, although I'll use something other than Dynex Dux. I believe it's Spectra that I was looking at. (I will be using Dynex Dux for my standing rigging.) Besides being able to do it yourself, synthetic lines offer another benefit. It provides some give if something goes against it. As I have been rebuilding my boat, I've found numerous cracks on the underside of the deck, radiating out from the stanchions. These are from a lot of pressure being placed on the stanchions/lifelines. The extra flex should relieve some of that pressure. That and not letting people push your boat off by the stanchions.

Ric
s/v Blue Max
#2692
www.ric-maxfield.net

pjacobs55 · May 4, 2012

I used 1x19 rigging wire for my lifelines on Sin Tacha: 3/16" on the top ones and 5/32" on the lowers.
I like the idea of using the Amsteel synthetic lines. The stuff is really easy to splice, and is as strong as wire. My topping lift is 7/64" Amsteel and sits there, day after day, holding up the boom, mainsail, and sail cover with the main sheet snugged down, and has no noticeable stretch. I'm going to try making the Ballad's lifelines with it.

Standing rigging on both boats still looks pretty good, Tim. Don't wait for me ;-)

Peter
www.sintacha.com

kevinwoods.vega · May 5, 2012

Thanks to all of you. I will go to an uncovered SS lifeline. I like the idea of being able to see the condition of the material.

Taking that approach one step further . . . I believe that I will just go ahead and remove the 6 plastic shroud boots from the shroud bottoms. It's probably best to see the condition of all standing rigging at a glance.

Thanks again.

Kevin Woods