I am replacing the life line covers as they were discolored beyond repair. Bought Davis Snap-On cable covers and am having trouble getting them to "snap-on in seconds" Have heated them in hot water and tried different tactics. My fingers are sore and have only done a few feet! Any suggestings? The Davis site had no helpful hints. I only have 30 more feet to go!!
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Rex, Are you talking about those small round
hollow 5/16" plastic cable covers like those used on shrouds? The're hollow in the center and have a slit running full length that you peel open to fit them over the cable. They are 8 feet long. Are we talking about the same little "bastards"? If so, then I made up a small hand tool out of a piece of flat metal stock that was about 3/16" wide, 1/8" thick and 4 1/2 inch long. I then smoothed and sanded/ polished the outside edges, shaped the one end to a " V " with the V having a rounded tip, not sharp. I then bent the last 3/4" almost 180 degrees back making a " U " shaped tool with one side 3 to 3 1/4 long to the "U" and with 1/2" straight after the "U". Confused? Me too! Now you hold the long side in your hand palm with the U side down. Insert the short V shaped point into the plastic split in the cover to spread open the tube while you pull the tool towards you with one hand and forcing the now opened tube over the cable with the other hand. Once you get the feel it goes very fast. The hardest problem now is holding the cable tight as you apply the cover. Once you have experence you can do the tool and force the tube down with one hand and stabilize the line and applied tube with the other. If you are talking about something else then at least you will know how to do this task later in life and I'll crawl back under my rock. Ray S/V Speedy PS Anything that will work like that tool will work fine. Once you figure it out a 8' piece will take less than 15 seconds.
hollow 5/16" plastic cable covers like those used on shrouds? The're hollow in the center and have a slit running full length that you peel open to fit them over the cable. They are 8 feet long. Are we talking about the same little "bastards"? If so, then I made up a small hand tool out of a piece of flat metal stock that was about 3/16" wide, 1/8" thick and 4 1/2 inch long. I then smoothed and sanded/ polished the outside edges, shaped the one end to a " V " with the V having a rounded tip, not sharp. I then bent the last 3/4" almost 180 degrees back making a " U " shaped tool with one side 3 to 3 1/4 long to the "U" and with 1/2" straight after the "U". Confused? Me too! Now you hold the long side in your hand palm with the U side down. Insert the short V shaped point into the plastic split in the cover to spread open the tube while you pull the tool towards you with one hand and forcing the now opened tube over the cable with the other hand. Once you get the feel it goes very fast. The hardest problem now is holding the cable tight as you apply the cover. Once you have experence you can do the tool and force the tube down with one hand and stabilize the line and applied tube with the other. If you are talking about something else then at least you will know how to do this task later in life and I'll crawl back under my rock. Ray S/V Speedy PS Anything that will work like that tool will work fine. Once you figure it out a 8' piece will take less than 15 seconds.
Thanks Ray
Thanks so much for your indepth reply. It is the very same bastards of which you wrote. Even the same size. It makes me feel better knowing others have these problems too. Will try your tool.
Thanks so much for your indepth reply. It is the very same bastards of which you wrote. Even the same size. It makes me feel better knowing others have these problems too. Will try your tool.
Feed it on
Start one end down low and feed it on, sliding it up as you go. Let the shroud do the work of spreading the plastic instead of you fingers. Also, are you sure about the size-they come in different sizes so you could move up a size.
Start one end down low and feed it on, sliding it up as you go. Let the shroud do the work of spreading the plastic instead of you fingers. Also, are you sure about the size-they come in different sizes so you could move up a size.
There is no such thing as a Life Line Cover!
Rex/Ray: There is no such item as a life line cover. These cover are only intended from shrouds. They are intended to keep you sail from rubbing on the S.S. Covering the lifelines with these vinyl covers is a very poor idea. Many boaters will not even use vinyl covered life line material. These are used to grab on to in case of an emergency. I would hate to think about someone grabbing onto one of these covers and think that was going to keep them from going overboard.
Rex/Ray: There is no such item as a life line cover. These cover are only intended from shrouds. They are intended to keep you sail from rubbing on the S.S. Covering the lifelines with these vinyl covers is a very poor idea. Many boaters will not even use vinyl covered life line material. These are used to grab on to in case of an emergency. I would hate to think about someone grabbing onto one of these covers and think that was going to keep them from going overboard.
Steve, Re-read my response, you'll find NO word
about "lifeline covers"! I figured that Rex was talking about shroud covers. Get real, why would anyone install covers on lifelines when they come with vinyl covers attached. When one wants to use ! about my responses he should have read and understood the response. Ray!
about "lifeline covers"! I figured that Rex was talking about shroud covers. Get real, why would anyone install covers on lifelines when they come with vinyl covers attached. When one wants to use ! about my responses he should have read and understood the response. Ray!
Rex said Lifeline
The original poster said "lifeline covers", not Ray. It seems the originals were "discolored". I agree with Steve: Bad idea. They might pull off or turn in your hand. New lifelines (with or without vinyl covers) aren't all that expensive and you can install them yourself with simple tools. You can even use high tech line if you're careful about chafe points.
The original poster said "lifeline covers", not Ray. It seems the originals were "discolored". I agree with Steve: Bad idea. They might pull off or turn in your hand. New lifelines (with or without vinyl covers) aren't all that expensive and you can install them yourself with simple tools. You can even use high tech line if you're careful about chafe points.
Doug, you'd be surprised!
Doug: You would be surprised how many sailors do want to spend the money on a safety feature like lifelines. They do get crappy looking after several years. This is not the first time that someone has brought up this idea. and Ray.... you where just feeding Rex's idea of using shroud covers on the lifelines. HOW THE HELL DO I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE THINKING? Don't get so upset. We are just exchanging ideas! Correct? So I guess you don't think it is a very good idea either?
Doug: You would be surprised how many sailors do want to spend the money on a safety feature like lifelines. They do get crappy looking after several years. This is not the first time that someone has brought up this idea. and Ray.... you where just feeding Rex's idea of using shroud covers on the lifelines. HOW THE HELL DO I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE THINKING? Don't get so upset. We are just exchanging ideas! Correct? So I guess you don't think it is a very good idea either?
Steve, not really
I'm not surprised in the least. I bought lifeline wires last fall and installed them this spring. There was a little rust spot on one area of the covering where the wire had rested on a rusty fitting in my box over the winter. I seriously considered tossing the wire out.... then came to my senses... a little rust spot aint worth the $$$
When the vinyl looks like hell, then I can understand removing it -- cosmetics are important. But not more important than safety. I'd leave them bare or replace them entirely.
I'm not surprised in the least. I bought lifeline wires last fall and installed them this spring. There was a little rust spot on one area of the covering where the wire had rested on a rusty fitting in my box over the winter. I seriously considered tossing the wire out.... then came to my senses... a little rust spot aint worth the $$$
When the vinyl looks like hell, then I can understand removing it -- cosmetics are important. But not more important than safety. I'd leave them bare or replace them entirely.- Status