Lifeline wire size question

Head Sail · Jun 28, 2016

If I had the option, I suppose I'd rather my ribs hit 3/16 wire than 1/8.

CloudDiver · Jun 28, 2016

Do yourself a huge favor and use Dyneema. You can step up a size or two in diameter. The price per foot may be more than wire, but without the cost of mechanical swaging you might actually save money. Defender has great prices on Dyneema line by the foot. You just need to learn a few simple splices and you should be able to re-use your turnbuckles and pelican hooks.

Charlie Jones s/v Tehani · Jun 28, 2016

I use 3/16 1 x 19 Chris. All end fittings from Johnson.
But on the coated wire- you know the yacht racing council forbids that? Can't see if it's corroding

LeoLambert310 · Jun 28, 2016

I replaced mine 2 years ago 3/16 top and 1/8 bottom uncoated, It change the looks of the boat and everyone has comment that it looks better than before. But then that's my point of view.

JCall · Jun 28, 2016

CloudDiver said:
Do yourself a huge favor and use Dyneema. You can step up a size or two in diameter. The price per foot may be more than wire, but without the cost of mechanical swaging you might actually save money. Defender has great prices on Dyneema line by the foot. You just need to learn a few simple splices and you should be able to re-use your turnbuckles and pelican hooks.

Chris I agree with CloudDiver. Recently sailed a CAT 22 with 1/4" Dyneema lifelines, very soft to the touch and more comfortable to lean against. No corrosion. Less weight aloft to help lower your vertical CG. Will be replacing my lifelines when time/budget permits.

thinwater · Jun 28, 2016

I don't even want to imagine falling on 1/8" wire.

Capt jgw · Jun 29, 2016

Coated wire in a salt water environment is just a bad idea. The wire will corrode under the coating and the coating itself is hard to keep clean. I started to strip the coating off of mine and everywhere I cut into the plastic the knife went right through. There was nothing but rust left inside.
Dyneema or 3/16" 1x19 are the way to go.

Capt jgw · Jun 29, 2016

Fresh water is not so bad, but can still corrode eventually. I'd go with the larger size regardless. Like others have said, falling against the thinner wire will hurt more. I think a lot of builders use the thinner stuff just to save money. What "looks right" is just what you're used to. I never liked having to clean the white vinyl all the time, the shiny uncoated wire looks better IMO.

LuzSD · Jun 29, 2016

LeoLambert310 said:
I replaced mine 2 years ago 3/16 top and 1/8 bottom uncoated, It change the looks of the boat and everyone has comment that it looks better than before. But then that's my point of view.

Same with us, we changed to uncoated about 8 years ago, one of the first changes we made, and love the feel, the look and the safety of seeing what's going on. Much cleaner look in my opinion.

Johnb · Jun 29, 2016

Question for everyone - if you went uncoated would you choose wire the same outer diameter as the outer diameter of the coated wire? As noted, the less like a cheese cutter the better!

LuzSD · Jun 29, 2016

we went with all 3/16 Rigging Wire 1.19ss type316 is what the receipt says.
absolutely love it.

marian · Jun 29, 2016

3/16, much easier on the hands. Try holding on a 1/8 wire size, you will know what to chose.

Capt jgw · Jun 29, 2016

Chris & Lenore said:
Freshwater boat - short season. There is no corrosion of any kind on the 30 year old 1/8 coated. The boat did spend a year in the Carribean about 15 years ago.
My question is really about the wire size if using coated SS. Almost every boat I see on the Great Lakes has 1/8 coated but most of the lifeline fittings at local marine suppliers are for 3/16 wire size. Just curious why the difference. The few boats my size with 3/16 coated didn't look "quite right" I.e. looked too large in diameter.

I'm on the Lakes too, and in my area a lot of the boats are using 3/16" wire, many uncoated. I think the uncoated just looks better. OP says his life lines are "aging". So what's aging about them? The vinyl looking grungy? Uncoated should last darn near forever. It's under very little strain, none of the swages are pointing up to collect water, so they should last much longer than your standing rigging. I replaced my upper lines with 3/16" 1x19 316 SS. The lower lines must have been replaced recently by the PO because when I peeled the vinyl off they were OK. Not perfect but good enough. They're 1/8". Next time around they're going 3/16".
I haven't noticed any boats with soft line, but from a distance it would look like coated wire so there may be some around.

DianaOfBurlington · Jun 30, 2016

Using uncoated 5/32" 1x19 because that's what I have. Fittings are from standing-rigging pages of CSJ book, not the lifeline pages; include open-body chrome-on-bronze TBs and swage-stud-to-clevis fittings. All machine-swage (not HandiCrimp - never!). Single-row lifelines; possibly adding Dyneema or just plain cordage for lower row later.

jssailem · Jul 8, 2016

Chris
Just removed coated 1/8 wire from my boat and replaced with 3/16.

As you loose your footing on the foredeck and you are headed for a splash, which wire do you want to try and grab?

Capt jgw · Jul 8, 2016

Exactly.

Lifeline wire size question

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

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