Discussion
HMS Simpo could do with some smart new mooring lines for 2015, and I can either pay top money in a chandler or by some cheapos from eBay. Then I remembered that B&Q sell all different kinds of rope - if I found one that looked the same (12mm navy) would it do the same job or rot away in 3 weeks?
Whenever I've looked at the stuff in B&Q it has actually looked expensive compared to chandlery stuff like for like.
From memory, the B&Q stuff is mostly polypropylene which is not ideal for mooring. The non-polyprop stuff looks more suited to hanging your washing up than mooring a boat!
Have you tried the likes of Jimmy Green or still too expensive?
From memory, the B&Q stuff is mostly polypropylene which is not ideal for mooring. The non-polyprop stuff looks more suited to hanging your washing up than mooring a boat!
Have you tried the likes of Jimmy Green or still too expensive?
s2kjock said:
Have you tried the likes of Jimmy Green or still too expensive?
Complex site - polyester seems the best but they have three different kinds. Will talk to them tomorrow to decide; thanks for the link.3-strand or braided? Braided seems posher... but maybe harder to get tight knots undone?
Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 25th March 17:36
If you're feeling really lazy, get a braided line with an eye already sliced.
http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/mooring-lines.html
Don't buy nylon, it goes hard and brittle in UV, an Ebay roll of polyester is cheapest.
http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/mooring-lines.html
Don't buy nylon, it goes hard and brittle in UV, an Ebay roll of polyester is cheapest.
25% stretch - that's elastic!
Spliced is an option but if the loop is too small it won't go over the cleats (about 7" long) and if it's too big it could come off when needed most. If a splice is described as '10"' is that diameter or circumference?
And then just as I'm planning to order 8m I see you can have either 6 or 10, grr!
Spliced is an option but if the loop is too small it won't go over the cleats (about 7" long) and if it's too big it could come off when needed most. If a splice is described as '10"' is that diameter or circumference?
And then just as I'm planning to order 8m I see you can have either 6 or 10, grr!
In the olden days the utility companies used to use swanky nylon rope for pulling cables through pipes/ducts etc and it only got used once or twice before they binned it IIRC.
We were given a 100 metre reel of 8mm Marlowe three strand many years ago - saw us right in various small boat mooring lines/warps/painters etc for 30 years - we still have some of it here and there I think.
Is it just for mooring up to a pontoon? The pre-braided lines mentioned above are very good, but a bit long for a wee boat.
We were given a 100 metre reel of 8mm Marlowe three strand many years ago - saw us right in various small boat mooring lines/warps/painters etc for 30 years - we still have some of it here and there I think.
Is it just for mooring up to a pontoon? The pre-braided lines mentioned above are very good, but a bit long for a wee boat.
This: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Polyester-3strand-twiste...
plus this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dremel-2000-6-Versatip-G...
plus this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLox_ajDGLo
Good quality rope, similar total cost as buying a few pre-made warps with splices, interesting learning experience made much easier by the hot knife and you end up with a 'free' hot knife/portable soldering iron into the bargain.
plus this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dremel-2000-6-Versatip-G...
plus this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLox_ajDGLo
Good quality rope, similar total cost as buying a few pre-made warps with splices, interesting learning experience made much easier by the hot knife and you end up with a 'free' hot knife/portable soldering iron into the bargain.
Simpo Two said:
It's for all kinds of mooring, both in the marina and in the field. Boat is 27' and three tons.
I think I've decided on 3-strand as a sailing friend of mine confirms that braided can be hard to get undone at times.
I think I'd go for the same for general use. Splicing bights in is not too difficult to do yourself if you need to.I think I've decided on 3-strand as a sailing friend of mine confirms that braided can be hard to get undone at times.
rightly or wrongly I always used mountaineering rope for my RIB (bit lighter than your boat) / thames cruiser (nearer in weight) - Cotswold outdoor, and lots of routes to 20% off there (mine was through British Canoe Union membership) - worked out cheaper than marinas for rope and never had an issue...
s2kjock said:
From memory, the B&Q stuff is mostly polypropylene which is not ideal for mooring. The non-polyprop stuff looks more suited to hanging your washing up than mooring a boat!
I think you will find a large majority of merchant ships use polypropylene mooring lines. The properties of the rope; in that it floats, has decent strength, wears well and does not succumb to actinic degradation at the first sight of the sun mean its very popular.Popeyed said:
I think you will find a large majority of merchant ships use polypropylene mooring lines. The properties of the rope; in that it floats, has decent strength, wears well and does not succumb to actinic degradation at the first sight of the sun mean its very popular.
You want some "give" in a small boat mooring though. Different boats - different ropes. s2kjock said:
Popeyed said:
I think you will find a large majority of merchant ships use polypropylene mooring lines. The properties of the rope; in that it floats, has decent strength, wears well and does not succumb to actinic degradation at the first sight of the sun mean its very popular.
You want some "give" in a small boat mooring though. Different boats - different ropes. I was always under the impression that polyprop had very little elasticity, hence the need to use nylon (on small boats at least).
Is there still then sufficient elasticity in ship's lines but that polyprop has greater breaking strength and resistance to wear than nylon or is it due to cost?
Is there still then sufficient elasticity in ship's lines but that polyprop has greater breaking strength and resistance to wear than nylon or is it due to cost?
Polypropylene is rubbish! It's as strong as a bin liner, and rots in the sun.
Polyimide 3 strand is the best option.
Octiplaid looks nice though, and has plenty of stretch. You want a bit of stretch in mooring lines, unless you want to rip the cleats out.
Personally I prefer mooring lines without any splices, and to tie a bowline, as it's handy to be able to let either end slip if you want to double up. also sometimes you have to tie onto rings, so you have to use a bowline then anyway, unless you want to bugger about with shackles.
Of course, when I worked for the rich and stupid, I had to use braided mooring lines with splices because "they looked nice"
Anyway, you've got some now Another thumbs up here for Jimmy Green Marine though
Polyimide 3 strand is the best option.
Octiplaid looks nice though, and has plenty of stretch. You want a bit of stretch in mooring lines, unless you want to rip the cleats out.
Personally I prefer mooring lines without any splices, and to tie a bowline, as it's handy to be able to let either end slip if you want to double up. also sometimes you have to tie onto rings, so you have to use a bowline then anyway, unless you want to bugger about with shackles.
Of course, when I worked for the rich and stupid, I had to use braided mooring lines with splices because "they looked nice"
Anyway, you've got some now Another thumbs up here for Jimmy Green Marine though
mickrick said:
Of course, when I worked for the rich and stupid, I had to use braided mooring lines with splices because "they looked nice"
A few months ago a brand new version of my boat appeared alongside. Exactly the same model. Me 2012, him 2014. Grr. And he has brand new braided navy ropes, and yes they do look smart.I should have just nicked his, and given his boat a friendly push downriver - two problems solved in one go
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