More enjoyment of your ship, more comfort and safer sailing.
Ropes
By hand, you can pull up to approximately 30 kg. For heavier loads, a “mechanical advantage” becomes practical. If a line is led once through a 180° angle, you can pull twice the weight. With fourfold lead, you can pull four times the weight. Mechanical advantage is achieved using a “block” or multiple “blocks.” Nowadays, there are innovations offering new alternatives, such as ball-bearing blocks, lightweight blocks, snatch blocks, and low-friction rings. And, of course, the soft shackle!
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If you tie a knot in a line, its breaking strength (BS) is reduced by 40–50%. With a splice, the reduction is only 5–10%. When sailing close-hauled, the load on your sail is 33 kg/m²; on a broad reach, 10 kg/m²; and while planing, 3 kg/m².
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In addition to breaking strength (BS), the safety factor (SF) is important. The safety factor is the number of times the maximum expected working load. An SF is necessary to account for gusts of wind, waves, material aging, reduction in strength due to knots, and so on. A high SF at racing speeds leads to heavier, thicker (over-dimensioned) lines. Racers aiming to save weight often choose an optimal dimensioning with a lower SF.
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Having a color-coding system for lines onboard makes things much clearer. You can give halyards and sheets for a specific sail the same colors in a complementary pattern. For example, for the mainsail, a grey halyard with black markers and a black sheet with grey markers. A “marker” is a thin colored thread in a line. This allows you to quickly see which lines belong together and reduces the risk of mistakes. It is also helpful when sailing with new crew members.
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If you want a halyard or sheet that is strong enough and meets all your other requirements, such as flexibility and abrasion resistance, the right combination of diameter, core material, sheath material, and degree of mechanical advantage is the solution. We are happy to help you find the right combination for you and your vessel.
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This PDF (download) contains a lot of answers and information about halyards, sheets, as well as mooring lines, springs, and anchor lines.
Lines (halyards, sheets, and other ropes) can be cleaned with a wash. This is something you can easily do yourself.
Here’s how:
Halyards, sheets, trim lines, and mooring lines—collectively known as “running rigging”—do not last forever, even with proper maintenance. Even an over-dimensioned halyard will eventually wear out. Yet many sailors place blind trust in their lines, which is not always justified.
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How can you be sure that everything onboard is still functioning properly, up to date, and has the correct breaking strength?
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Schedule an inspection of the lines on your vessel.
There are many brands that provide good ropes and useful accessories. There are many different types of ropes available. What material is suitable for the sheets, what material for the halyards, trim lines or mooring lines? How do you choose?
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What breaking strength and diameter?
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When is it a 'soft shackle' and when is it a 'dogbone'?
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What is the use and necessity of dyneema?
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What does SK75, SK78 and SK99 mean?
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How much stretch does a 'stretch-free' line have?
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What does 'crawl' do to a line?
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Should it be dyneema or is polyester sufficient?
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Why a coated Stirotex grade core?
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When is Technora a consideration?
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Which markings are practical?
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Which closures are currently in use and for what purpose?
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Etc.
There is no standard best solution. Everything is connected and every choice has consequences.
What suits you, your ship, your sailing area and your sailing style best?
Whether your ropes has been on your ship for some time, has just been purchased or is yet to be purchased, it can always be optimized and we can help you with that.
[+R]M PlusResult-MARITIEM gives you insight into the possibilities and helps you make the right choices and applications that suit you, your ship and how you sail.
[+R]M PlusResult-MARITIEM has the knowledge and tools for splicing, tapering, rigging, marking, etc. All your rope work functions optimally and looks beautiful.
Want to know more about rope work on your ship?