Lifelines

Posted by Tom Vesey (tvesey@…>)
It might be worth reading this fairly brief report on a lifeline strength study done by the US Naval Academy:http://www.ussailing.org/safety/studies/lifeline_study.htmThe significant conclusion was that it’s mostly the pulpits and stanchions that you have to worry about – they are almost always the weakest link in the system, not the lifelines themselves. However, the lines they used were the 1x19 uncovered wire required in offshore regs.I have read warnings in Scuttlebutt about checking the lashings many people use to tighten up their lifelines, after a few reported cases of them giving way or coming undone and tossing crew into the water. Ah so many different ways things can go wrong!TomOn Mar 30, 2006, at 8:53 AM, Merrick White wrote: We replaced our old lifelines last year with Amsteel 12 strand. It is a high molecular weight polyethylene(HMWPE)line with an average strength of 6,600 lbs. I also had to replaced the hardware, but since it was 20+ years old I would have done that anyway. We were pleased with the result, it was easy to splice, and I can easily replace any section that may show wear in the future. — In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “my1972ih” <my1972ih@…> wrote: > > Wanting opinions about the pros and cons of replacing cable lifelines > with UV stable cordage, and recommendations on cordage to use if we do > it. > Reggie > YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS Visit your group “freedomyachts2003” on the web. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: freedomyachts2003-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

Posted by michel.capel (michel.capel@…>)

If you have plastic inserts in your stanchions, it should be
possible with a non stretch type of line. Otherwise chafe in the
stanchion holes will wear out your line quickly. I think the
lifetime costs of wire will always be lower, so unless you have
other considerations except costs, I would opt for non-plastich
coated wire.

Michel


— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “my1972ih” <my1972ih@…>
wrote:

Wanting opinions about the pros and cons of replacing cable
lifelines
with UV stable cordage, and recommendations on cordage to use if
we do
it.
Reggie