Preventing Rope Mould And Rot

[Riptide]

Have had issues for years with mould on lines / ropes, especially on the ends. Synthetic ropes it isn't really an issue other then being ugly, but I am a minimalist / naturalist and choose not to go synthetic. Finally found a solution that works in treating the lines with Birch tar, no more mould issues! Also winter storage and mice.... little buggers get in and chew on the ropes, Birch tar also deters them and I no longer have issues with them.

Just thought may help out a few people here in the same boat. It is very hard to find online but if you have birch trees in your area you can make some with a little time and effort. Also works very well as a waterproofer and protectant against salt water (leather and wood).

Get a paint can from a local autobody store. Poke a small hole in the lid, stuff as much birchbark as you can in it and put a larger hole in the bottom. Dig a hole in the firepit large enough for a small can, like you would get from a can of peas. Put a small can in the hole and sit paint can on top, fill in with dirt. Get a nice hot fire around the can and roast it good for about 1 hour, let the fire burn out and you will have some birch tar in the bottom can.

 

[dLj]

What are you using, Manila rope? Love the recipe for the birch tar!

dj

 

[Riptide]

Close, hemp

 

[Serenity on Hudson]

Distilling the birch tar yields medicinal creosote. Historically used for many purposes. But also used as a disinfectant for hospital cleaning (West Disinfectants). I cleaned up a site that had a spill of this kind of creosote in 1950. Was still there in 2015. No more!

 

[Riptide]

Amazing leather waterproof / treat also, was what "Russia leather" was dressed with.

 

[rgranger]

Birch has a lot of salicylic acid in the bark. So does poplar trees. You can also buy something called birch tincture. It would be interesting to see if you get similar results from distilling poplar or if you simply use the tincture.

BTW: The methyl ester of salicylic acid is bufferin (Aspirin)

 

[dLj]

What are you sailing? A traditional boat? Got pictures?

dj

 

[capta]

I'm a bit confused. Wouldn't this Birch tar leave a residue on the lines that would get all over your hands and the boat?
I've sailed plenty of 'traditional' vessels and since it has been available, we have used synthetic lines manufactured to resemble hemp in all but in it's negative aspects. Wouldn't that be a better solution?
I remember waiting for flax, cotton or hemp sails to dry before furling them (or drying them after a rain) and handling hemp or manila line, and I wouldn't go back to that if it was the only way I could go sailing.

 

[Riptide]

If you warm up the tar it gets very "light" and soaks in completely. The first use after applying it you get a little on your hands but not bad, after that it is fine. I really am not for synthetic for a whole multitude of reasons.

dj I do have some pics somewhere I will see if I can find them. She is a 1987 Hunter.

 

[BobbyFunn]

I drew a picture of the distillery on a stckynote as a lunchtime puzzle. How far down is the soup can buried? How high above the fire pit is the birch bark can. Does the birch can get filled with dirt, the entire hole filled with dirt with the birch can level with the fire put or is there a dirt volcanoe with a birch can inside, in the pit, but insulated from fire?

I reasoned that the birch bark decomposes and "melts" and the residue drips into the insulated soup can below.

You have no concerns about all the microplastic pollution from sanding a fiberglass hull?