ROPES OR LINES?
ROPES OR LINES?
The old adage goes it may be a rope on land but once it goes on board a boat it’s a line. You need to take care of your lines to get the most from them. There are three different materials used to make rope. They are natural fibers, synthetic fibers and wire.
NATURAL FIBERS
Natural fibers used to make ropes are manila, sisel, hemp, jute, cotton and flax. Most marine stores sell manila and cotton ropes. So what should you buy? The best for all around use is manila. It is strong and durable and stretches minimally under stress. An advantage of cotton is it will not lose it’s strength when it gets wet. Unfortunately natural fiber shrinks when it gets wet so in a rainstorm you must ease up on the strain or you will damage them.
SYNTHETIC ROPES
Most boat owners prefer synthetic ropes. They have good strength when wet and are generally stronger and resist shrinking. Nylon stretches more than other synthetic ropes, whereas polyester ropes are slightly weaker than nylon but they do not stretch as much. Polyester is generally used for lines that you want to keep tight. It is more pliable and smoother to handle. Polypropylene ropes are the least expensive and float. These are of limited use and best used for skiing.
WIRE ROPES
Wire rope is generally used for running rigging on sailboats and is usually made of stainless steel.
MEASURING THE ROPE
The traditional way to measure the size of a rope is by its circumference. Today most marine suppliers describe it by its diameter. So a 1/2 inch rope will have a 1/2 inch diameter.
SELECTING YOUR ROPES
Select certain lines for certain purposes. Characteristics to look for are strength, elasticity, resistance to chafing, resistance to sunlight, buoyancy and storage conditions. Don’t use small mooring or anchoring lines. Use the biggest possible line that will fit on your cleats. The only disadvantage to longer lines is that they cost more. In the long run it is worth it.
CARING FOR YOUR ROPES
Never overwork or overstress a line. You may not see it but straining the lines causes fibers to break and weakens the line. If your line has decreased in diameter than replace it. Stow your lines in dry well ventilated places. This will prevent mildew and rot associated with moisture. Wash the lines after saltwater exposure and dry them thoroughly before stowing. To wash a line place it in a mesh bag or pillowcase and throw it in the washing machine. For stiff lines soak them in some fabric softener.
TYING YOUR LINES
To learn how to tie different knots please visit the link below.
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