Why is ropecalled line?

[MushCreek]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

And don't forget about halyards, snotters, and vangs!

 

[skargo]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

Another important one is the shoreline. Newbies on a ship are often sent to "go get 20 feet of shoreline."
Often kept with the relative bearing grease.

I keep mine stowed next to my skyhooks and board stretchers.
Talk to you guys later, I have to go change my nav light fluid.

 

[nitsuj]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

So no one is going to tell me what a springer is?

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

On a boat, we rarely use the word ?rope? but rather ?lines? to describe all of the ropes and cords used in navigation. Moreover, each line has a specific name, such as the painter, halyard or fender line. Lines can be stranded or braided. A stranded cord consists of fibers twisted in one direction to form a rope yarn which, when twisted again in the opposite direction, creates the strand. Three strands are then twisted again in the same direction as the fibers to create the final rope. This alternating torsion causes the line to tighten on itself and thus prevents it from unraveling. A braided line comprises a core of braided or stranded threads covered with a sheath. The center or core of the line gives it strength, and the sheath performs more of a protective and aesthetic function.

 

[jdlough]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

coastalcruiser just reminded me.... More nautical rope terms...

Back in my Navy days, if on a Friday right after lunch the chief called, "Rope Yarn", that meant take an unofficial (no paperwork) afternoon off!

"Rope Yarn" is an olde Navy term for the job of splicing, or twinning, or otherwise fixing up and coiling old ropes on the deck of your old wooden ship. It was considered a very easy task. Instead of all the really hard Navy chores, you and your fellow shipmates could just sit on the deck, twisting rope, shooting the breeze.

Now-a-days, it's kinda expected to hear the call of "Rope Yarn" on Christmas Eve, or the day before Thanksgiving and such.

How many iboaters here at one time longed for the call of "Rope Yarn"?

Jim

 

[tboltmike]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

It is called a "line" when it is in use because it is the shortest distance between the work and the load.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

Vang!
When I was learning to sail we would call the boomvang a "boom bang" based on what the boom would do to your head on a jibe.

 

[soaringhiggy]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

double braided sampson
turks heads
monkey fists
bitter ends
two turn capsans

Ohh it has been awhile, still the basic skills were great, and have never let me down

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

2" Lock lines, 1"7/8 leavin lines. 2" lock lines are great for making bumpers(fenders)

 

[nitsuj]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

Ok Waven. You might have to explain that. You saying you use 2" diameter linefor lock lines? Cause they want me to keep 75' of line on my boat for locking. 75' of 2' line is a lot of line to find storage for. And what is a leavin line and why does it need to be 1 7/8"?

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

Ok Waven. You might have to explain that. You saying you use 2" diameter linefor lock lines? Cause they want me to keep 75' of line on my boat for locking. 75' of 2' line is a lot of line to find storage for. And what is a leavin line and why does it need to be 1 7/8"?

These 2" lines are for barges and towboating. 1"7/8 line is a work line or leavin line with a 2' eye for wrapping around the timberheads or cavels and the floating pin in the locks
http://www.towboatjoe.com/Bill-Boyd-lines.jpg
http://www.towboatjoe.com/towboat_info.htm
I ran Mate on the river for 5 1/2 years, I miss it dearly sometimes.

 

[nitsuj]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

And you're saying you carry 75' of 2" line on your boat for locking?

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

No, not on my boat I put pics on post above yours.

 

[TahoeQ4Pilot]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

So what gives? Why is rope called line, and why is I so important to say line instead of rope. I know guys who have no problem dropping F bombs in front of ladies and children, but feel saying rope is an offense punishable by plank walking.

Come 'round here, you and I can secretly call it "rope" all day and hope the purists never hear.

I made a post just like this a few weeks ago about nautical terms that replace perfectly understood words that would seem to be equally appropriate.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

Fine as long as you two leave the boat on the trailer in the yard--just sit there drinking beer and making motor noises, maybe cast a line or two. Always heard fish like to hang out in the grassy areas.

I do wonder if nautical terms will die out among the lake boaters, but only wane on the coasts, big rivers and great lakes.

Come 'round here, you and I can secretly call it "rope" all day and hope the purists never hear.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

2" Lock lines, 1"7/8 leavin lines. 2" lock lines are great for making bumpers(fenders)

Do you happen to have alink for tying rope fenders? It's one I haven't found.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

Do you happen to have alink for tying rope fenders? It's one I haven't found.

I make em. http://home.att.net/~river.photos/photo_page_04.htm

Scroll down to pic 8 "Sue Chappel" pic 981055 and look at the side of the stern, Those are the bumpers that I am talking about. I worked on two of the boats on this site page 4 "River Eagle" and page 6 "Billy Jo Boling". I also used to make them out of smaller line too for pleasure crafts, They're pur white and softer and don't harm the wax job like the plastic ones do. They look great on bigger boats and no one sells them, I just made some for people and they really like em. You can make them out of 1/2" or 5/8" line too smaller for smaller boats like mine.

 

[Dick Sorensen]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

The longest line on any ship/boat is the ...? Waterline! Hee hee

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

I make em. http://home.att.net/~river.photos/photo_page_04.htm

Scroll down to pic 8 "Sue Chappel" pic 981055 and look at the side of the stern, Those are the bumpers that I am talking about. I worked on two of the boats on this site page 4 "River Eagle" and page 6 "Billy Jo Boling". I also used to make them out of smaller line too for pleasure crafts, They're pur white and softer and don't harm the wax job like the plastic ones do. They look great on bigger boats and no one sells them, I just made some for people and they really like em. You can make them out of 1/2" or 5/8" line too smaller for smaller boats like mine.

Nice pics. I'm really looking for a book, or link, or better yet to meet someone who can show or demonstrate "how" it's tied. I do quite a bit of decorative work, but haven't learned the fender YET

 

[wellsc1]

Re: Why is ropecalled line?

Ok, after reading all the replies posted, no one mentioned rode (or I missed it among the myriad of comments). A rope is really a line, yes. A line becomes a rode when holding an anchor. The amount of line let out with the anchor improves the scope on the rode. Now you have another term that not even a rope.