Improved ropes

[gpfishingdude]

Years ago when I bought rope for the anchors or dock lines for the boat I had 3 choices. Cotton that didn't hold up very well to the weather and stress of boating or some kind of woven synthetic that would stick you about as bad as a frayed cable. Hemp was just used for bigger boats and was pretty rough on the hands too. Now since I got back in boating I can hardly believe how much the have improved the ropes I am buying for anchor line and dock lines. So much easier to handle.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Improved ropes

3 strand nylon line has been widely available for 40+ years. Manilla line was available for probably 50 years prior to that. It had to be dried before storage, or it would rot. Neither exhibit the features you have identified.

When was the last time you were in boating?

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Improved ropes

...some kind of woven synthetic that would stick you about as bad as a frayed cable...

I'm guessing you are talking about polypropylene rope here. Commonly used for waterskiing/wakeboarding because it floats. Poor UV stability, though; makes it fray like you mention.

Where are you that you couldn't get nylon lines in the past?

 

[robert graham]

Re: Improved ropes

The 3/8" braided Nylon is pretty hard to beat for small to medium sized boating, holds knots well, can be cleaned by soaking in mild bleach solution, easy on the hands, resonably priced....Cotton is not much good in a marine environment, polypropylene degrades badly in the sunlight/UV, Manila/Hemp rope right out of the dark ages....You must have been out of boating for a good while?...

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Improved ropes

I'm guessing you are talking about polypropylene rope here. Commonly used for waterskiing/wakeboarding because it floats. Poor UV stability, though; makes it fray like you mention.

Where are you that you couldn't get nylon lines in the past?

Yep, that would be my guess also. Poly rope could get almost as bad as a steel wire once it frayed out a little. It also would loose strength, a couple year old piece of poly might still look decent, but you can rip it in two easily by hand.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Improved ropes

1/2"or 5/8" Double Braid Nylon will last the life of your boat. Expensive, but worth every penny if you use them on a regular basis

To clean, soak them in a bucket of warm water with fabric softener. Ring them out and let dry. Not only clean but they stay soft and flexiable.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Improved ropes

3 strand nylon line has been widely available for 40+ years. Manilla line was available for probably 50 years prior to that. It had to be dried before storage, or it would rot. Neither exhibit the features you have identified.

When was the last time you were in boating?

Over 50yrs. Was using it in the 60's

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Improved ropes

Crap, You might be older than me <smile>