Replacement of vinyl lifelines

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knotalot22

knotalot22

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Jul 5, 2010
34
catalina 22 Texas
The vinyl on my lifelines is looking cracked and aged. Does anyone know where I can buy replacement vinyl-coated wire. The closing hooks and hardware are in good condition, so I don't want to replace everything for the lifeline, just the ugly aged vinyl-coated wire.

Much appreciate anyone's assistance...
 
P

paphman

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Sep 21, 2005
297
Catalina 22 Henderson Bay, NY
You could try Defender. I know they sell complete lifelines, and they may sell only the wire as well.

Dale
 
Tom J

Tom J

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Sep 30, 2008
2,325
Catalina 310 Quincy, MA
Any good rigging shop would have the wire in bulk stock. Most will make up the lifelines to order. New school of thought is to stay away from the vinyl covered wire since the vinyl cover tends to encourage and hide rust. I cut away 1/2" of the vinyl covering from the ends of the lifelines where they are swagged to the fittings. Found some rust on most of them, so cleaned them and soak them in oil occassionally.
 
J

jfrench

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Sep 19, 2010
525
Catalina 22 home
I'm surprised that in a marine environment those lifelines aren't made of stainless cable. It's certainly available, we use it in aviation regularly. Perhaps some online searching would uncover a source of vinyl-covered stainless.
 
Tom J

Tom J

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Sep 30, 2008
2,325
Catalina 310 Quincy, MA
The lifelines probably are stainless, but as we all know, even stainless forms some rust in a salt air environment, so check all your swagged fittings on lifelines and standing rigging, and apply a drop of oil now and then.
 
knotalot22

knotalot22

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Jul 5, 2010
34
catalina 22 Texas
Mass Confusion....

ok. thanks for the responses. they brought more questions.

1. are lifelines supposed to be coated in something or just bare wires? the bare wire hurts my hands when I grab it.

2. can the hardware currently attached to the ugly old lwire be reused on the new wire, or do i need to buy a whole new lifeline set?

Thanks!!

Andrea
 
D

DavoArts

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Mar 31, 2010
41
Catalina 22 Lake Hefner, OKC, OK
West marine sells white plastic tube covers that actually fit over the vinyl coated lifelines so you don't have to remove anything if you are just wanting it to look better and it still seems to be holding up strong. it comes in about 4-6' lengths (I cant remember but it was about the length in between stanchions) and is cut down the length so you can slip it over the lifeline similar to how pipe insulation goes on pipes. I can't find it online but it has been at most WM stores I have been to and it is actually a reasonably priced item. It makes your lifelines look a little thicker, probably about 1/4", but I liked the look.

 
J

jfrench

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Sep 19, 2010
525
Catalina 22 home
Now there's a hot tip. My lifelines are so sunburned they are beige and cracked, but all are still structually sound. I'll check out the "snap-on" covers and see if I can put off spending $300 on new lifelines for another five or ten years!
 
Tom J

Tom J

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Sep 30, 2008
2,325
Catalina 310 Quincy, MA
Those snap-on covers look like they'd provide a nice cushioning effect. Nice!
 
D

DavoArts

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Mar 31, 2010
41
Catalina 22 Lake Hefner, OKC, OK
Yeah they really make the boat look better, not sure if I would use them in a saltwater environment however as they do not really protect the lifelines from corrosion but in fact will allow saltwater to collect inside. I sail only on freshwater lakes, but either way, if you check/clean your rigging and equipment as often as you should it won't be an issue.. :)
 
knotalot22

knotalot22

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Jul 5, 2010
34
catalina 22 Texas
DavoArts said:
Yeah they really make the boat look better, not sure if I would use them in a saltwater environment however as they do not really protect the lifelines from corrosion but in fact will allow saltwater to collect inside. I sail only on freshwater lakes, but either way, if you check/clean your rigging and equipment as often as you should it won't be an issue.. :)
Click to expand
DavoArts - this is exactly what I need. The lifelines are in good condition, they're just cracked and dingy-faded. I'm a fresh water sailor too, so they should work great!

Thanks!!
 
Tom J

Tom J

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Sep 30, 2008
2,325
Catalina 310 Quincy, MA
Actuallly, the loose fit of the snap-on covers could be beneficial. Allows air to circulate and dry out the lifelines. Occasional flush with fresh water would be good.
 
OldCat

OldCat

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Jul 26, 2005
728
Catalina , Nacra 5.8, Laser, Hobie Hawk Wonmop, CO
knotalot22 said:
1. are lifelines supposed to be coated in something or just bare wires? the bare wire hurts my hands when I grab it.
Click to expand
Essentially you have answered your own question - a "meat hook" is only fun for sharks in salt water - hence the cover over the wire.

OC
 
knotalot22

knotalot22

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Jul 5, 2010
34
catalina 22 Texas
OldCat said:
Essentially you have answered your own question - a "meat hook" is only fun for sharks in salt water - hence the cover over the wire.

OC
Click to expand
Good point, OC. Hope you are excellent.

Can I replace just the wire and reuse the hardware?
 
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