Hi all,
I have owned my boat boat for around 6 years, and when purchaed I felt that a number of the sheets and halyards were probably due for replacement. I thought this because covers were faded, and harder on the hands Than new ropes.
I got busy on other, more urgent jobs and 6 years later have not changed out any. It is difficult to tell, but they seem to be in a similar state to when purchased. The covers are faded, but intact without obvious signs of damage.
I do not want to keep ropes until they fail, in particular the halyards, so how do I determine when they should be changed out? Is life typically a function of abuse, nicks to the covers etc or due to solar / UV issues?
Ideas as would be appreciated.
For the sheets if you're worried about them being stiffer throw them in the washing machine with softner
On the halyards, the first signs of wear will be at the cleats and turning blocks. Check those spots carefully. If your halyards are long enough, cut off the shackle and tie a new one on. This will move all the wear points forward by a bit and save them. I always buy my halyards several feet too long and cut off 1 foot at the shackle every couple of years. They last for a decade using this method.
If there are no particular wear spots on the halyards or sheets, then keep using them. Don't go looking for a reason to spend money unless you are crossing an ocean.
Select to expand quotetwodogs1969 said..
For the sheets if you're worried about them being stiffer throw them in the washing machine with softner
Nappisan is the go.
Thanks all,
I have no worn spots on the covers so I will try the fabric softener trick.
OK, right up my alley!!!
Firstly you'll get a good ten years out of polyester cover if doesn't sit in water, although that also depends on how often you use your boat and what for.
A couple of tricks to help get more life out of your ropes,
- Black polyester cover lasts longer than any other colour, followed by other solid covers, it's the dye they use. So for ropes like mainsheets that you can't remove, this is a good option
- Take off any sheets you can. It takes 2 minutes to remove your jib sheets and use a strap around the furled sail
- End for end every rope you can as often as you can. Jib sheets I have taken to tying a knot in the end which will be in the cockpit next time
- Wash ropes as mentioned, even a fresh water hose down as salt crystals wear rope
- Pull your expensive spectra halyard into the mast when not in use for a while, eg, over winter or you are going away Get a roll of thin VB cord, tie to the halyard shackle and pull it up the mast. Use one of those big stripey bags to bundle all the halyards at the mast base to keep out of sun.
- Make halyards too long as said, but rather than chopping a foot off, end for end at the end of every season.
