Its time to replace all the lines on my Hunter 26. I'm thinking of doing a little color coding of lines to the cockpit. White tends to look rather grungy after spending several years on inland lakes. I'm looking for opinions on whether colored lines (solid color) hold up as well to the sun and how they look after a few years.
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joe
Yes...
... I think solid color lines don't show the dirt as much as white. I love solid color lines but they will fade and swell up like any other if left out in the sun and rain. To extend the life or your running rigging, I recommend you remove as much of it as possible when you leave the boat for a long time. The halyards can be replaced with messenger lines, and stored inside out of the weather. Other lines are easily removed and stored. Learn to tie a "flemish eye" to the ends of your halyards so you can easily attach them to the messengers for re-rigging. (or use the paper clip method)
... I think solid color lines don't show the dirt as much as white. I love solid color lines but they will fade and swell up like any other if left out in the sun and rain. To extend the life or your running rigging, I recommend you remove as much of it as possible when you leave the boat for a long time. The halyards can be replaced with messenger lines, and stored inside out of the weather. Other lines are easily removed and stored. Learn to tie a "flemish eye" to the ends of your halyards so you can easily attach them to the messengers for re-rigging. (or use the paper clip method)
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John Dawson
Flecked
Sta Set makes lines in half colors that are less 'heavy' looking than solids and have good 'identity'.
Sta Set makes lines in half colors that are less 'heavy' looking than solids and have good 'identity'.
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Alan
Joe is right..
..but you don't have to remove the halards. Tie a messenger line to the end and hoist to the masthead. Then coil the line at the bottom of the mast and bag it. This will keep the halyards out of the sun and be easily retrieved when you need them.
..but you don't have to remove the halards. Tie a messenger line to the end and hoist to the masthead. Then coil the line at the bottom of the mast and bag it. This will keep the halyards out of the sun and be easily retrieved when you need them.
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Joe
Alan is right, too..
... for internally led halyards that method is fine. Another point not previously mentioned.... It's okay to wash dirty rigging.
... for internally led halyards that method is fine. Another point not previously mentioned.... It's okay to wash dirty rigging.
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Chris Burti
Coupl'a ol' coot's tricks.
When running lines, use a 12" piece of duct tape laid lenghthwise, lines butted end to end and then the tape rolled tight. Much better than any other method that I've tried. It will go through tight spaces, make tight turns and is virtually impossible to pull apart. When washing lines, presoak in a bucket with a mild bleach solution. Make electrician's (chainstitch) loops in the line to minimize tangling and use plenty of fabric softener in your automatic washer with a high water level and cold setting.
When running lines, use a 12" piece of duct tape laid lenghthwise, lines butted end to end and then the tape rolled tight. Much better than any other method that I've tried. It will go through tight spaces, make tight turns and is virtually impossible to pull apart. When washing lines, presoak in a bucket with a mild bleach solution. Make electrician's (chainstitch) loops in the line to minimize tangling and use plenty of fabric softener in your automatic washer with a high water level and cold setting.
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Kevin
Amazing!
I never ceases to amaze me how much great information is shared on this forum. Just when you think you know all the tricks, some great ideas arise on several fronts!
I never ceases to amaze me how much great information is shared on this forum. Just when you think you know all the tricks, some great ideas arise on several fronts!
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Tom
Chris, great idea
I haven't had the need to rerig until now so it will be a first for me. I probably would have been back here looking for recommendations on how to pull the new lines thru. I like the tape idea. I plan on using the old main sheet, which is in decent shape, to replace the topping lift. So the mast will eventually come down, but that can wait. In the mean time, any other good rerig techniques out there?
I haven't had the need to rerig until now so it will be a first for me. I probably would have been back here looking for recommendations on how to pull the new lines thru. I like the tape idea. I plan on using the old main sheet, which is in decent shape, to replace the topping lift. So the mast will eventually come down, but that can wait. In the mean time, any other good rerig techniques out there?
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Bob
Question re washing line
I just purchased a used boat that has not been sailed for at least a year (pink water from last season's winterizing was discharged from the exhaust at the sea trial). The boat, while otherwise in good shape, was very dirty including mildewed and dirt-encrusted running rigging. The marine surveyor advised me NOT to wash the lines and claimed that this will remove lubricant on the fibers and lead to internal chaffing and significant weakening. I haven't been sailing for a real long time but I haven't heard this before. In fact, the surveyor for my previous boat had suggested I wash a dirty main sheet. Has anyone else heard about this problem with washed line or have experience to support or refute it?
I just purchased a used boat that has not been sailed for at least a year (pink water from last season's winterizing was discharged from the exhaust at the sea trial). The boat, while otherwise in good shape, was very dirty including mildewed and dirt-encrusted running rigging. The marine surveyor advised me NOT to wash the lines and claimed that this will remove lubricant on the fibers and lead to internal chaffing and significant weakening. I haven't been sailing for a real long time but I haven't heard this before. In fact, the surveyor for my previous boat had suggested I wash a dirty main sheet. Has anyone else heard about this problem with washed line or have experience to support or refute it?
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John Dawson
Dirty old line
The advice ignores the fact that the dirt causes abrasion among the fibres as they stretch, bend and twist. Besides, who wants to handle old moldy grungy lines? The dirt holds moisture, the mold ruins other surfaces, they smell up the lazarette, and your crew thinks you're cheap. (I would stick with mild detergents and skip the bleach. A little dirt is good for your image.)
The advice ignores the fact that the dirt causes abrasion among the fibres as they stretch, bend and twist. Besides, who wants to handle old moldy grungy lines? The dirt holds moisture, the mold ruins other surfaces, they smell up the lazarette, and your crew thinks you're cheap. (I would stick with mild detergents and skip the bleach. A little dirt is good for your image.)
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Chris Burti
Yes, Wash!
I'll bet that your surveyor is the same soul I saw out in the pumpkin patch last week waiting for the appearance of the Great Pumpkin. There are no 'lubricants' in manufacured fibers. Plastics are composed of chemical compounds containing esthers that will migrate to the surface producing that oily feel. They can break down as a result of heat or UV exposure, but they can only be removed by chemical solvents. The real enemies of your lines are sun, heat and chafing. UV radiation breaks down the chemical composition of the fibres. Heat will destroy or weaken them and chafe is obvious. Dirt and salt are obviously abrasive and accelerate the internal breakdown caused by the heat generated from stretching. Mild bleach will not do substantial damage, but here is a case of 'less is more'. A washing machine is recommended because it takes a fair amount of agitation to get all the dirt and salt out of the internal fibres. Use of mild, low suds,low phosphate detergent is assumed. Fabric softener seems to reduce the stiffness and I am unaware of any damage concerns. Regular washing should be part of your maintenance routine. If the lines are as badly neglected as your description implies, replacement is in order not because washing is bad, but rather, because thier physical condition is highly suspect. In such a case, washing can be compared to painting over rust. Best Regards
I'll bet that your surveyor is the same soul I saw out in the pumpkin patch last week waiting for the appearance of the Great Pumpkin. There are no 'lubricants' in manufacured fibers. Plastics are composed of chemical compounds containing esthers that will migrate to the surface producing that oily feel. They can break down as a result of heat or UV exposure, but they can only be removed by chemical solvents. The real enemies of your lines are sun, heat and chafing. UV radiation breaks down the chemical composition of the fibres. Heat will destroy or weaken them and chafe is obvious. Dirt and salt are obviously abrasive and accelerate the internal breakdown caused by the heat generated from stretching. Mild bleach will not do substantial damage, but here is a case of 'less is more'. A washing machine is recommended because it takes a fair amount of agitation to get all the dirt and salt out of the internal fibres. Use of mild, low suds,low phosphate detergent is assumed. Fabric softener seems to reduce the stiffness and I am unaware of any damage concerns. Regular washing should be part of your maintenance routine. If the lines are as badly neglected as your description implies, replacement is in order not because washing is bad, but rather, because thier physical condition is highly suspect. In such a case, washing can be compared to painting over rust. Best Regards
G
Gord
G
Gord
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