Re-purposing used halyards

[Brian S]

In other news, I soaked all my boat's moldy, dirty, original (1974) Sampson line in a 5-gallon bucket with laundry detergent (with fabric softener!). The soap bottle distinctly said 'Not for use with acrylic.' Oops. After a few hours, with a little scrubbing, they all came about 90% clean.

Not a problem. Running rigging on a sailboat should be polyester, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (Dyneema, Spectra and the like) or maybe aramid fiber (Vectran.) Dock lines can be nylon. I've never heard of an acrylic rope, or acrylic used as a rope on a sailboat. Just don't go washing your Sunbrella covers with that "Not for use with acrylic" detergent, 'cos that is acrylic fabric...

 

[Bad Obsession]

I did repurpose some old halyards for tying my dingy to the trailer, adding a little extra length for stepping the mast, and a few other things. I have a full length Catalina 30 halyard still that has some life left so I don't want to cut it.

I hate cutting old line into shorter bits sometimes. I always feel like that when I cut it I will find another purpose for it later on and I will need the length. Ugh.

Something about sailors and cutting line, I think that we all hate to do it.

 

[jwing]

I like low-stretch rope for halyards, with just enough diameter to do the job. On the other hand, I am willing to have rope that stretches a bit for sheets. I prefer larger diameter, softer rope for the sheets; it's easier to grip.

 

[dlochner]

All this talk of what to do with old halyards is interesting and helpful. But what to do with the miles of SS wire from old rope/wire halyards and standing rigging? It is beginning to take up too much space in the garage.

 

[thinwater]

Clothes lines. Zip line for the kids.