Which rope should I use? from NETWORK YACHT CHANDLERS

Marine Shop | Ropes & Fenders | Ropes | Which rope should I use?

Different types of rope Ropes are used in a variety of purposes for the mariner, and as such come in all shapes and sizes. The job for which the rope is to be used will determine which type and size is chosen. The most common uses of ropes on board are: Anchoring - securing the boat to the anchor/chain Mooring - securing the boat to a pontoon/dock or mooring Sail Control - sheets and halyards Safety - rescue lines and throwing lines The types of rope suitable for each job are explained in more detail below. If you are unsure about anything, or have a question, no matter how simple it is please dont hesitate to call us.

Anchoring Rope The properties required from a good anchoring rope will include: Durability Low boyancy (not float) Limited amount of stretch Ease of handling Dependant on the size of the anchor you use, there maybe other factors which should be taken into consideration - if the anchor is to be dropped, or lifted by hand, and the rope flaked into a container or locker for storage, it's ability to not kink or twist will be valuable, as will it's softness on the hands. The diameter and length of the rope is also important. It is vital that you have sufficient length to anchor safely whilst bearing in mind the limitations of storage available. Check the breaking strain of the rope before purchasing.

Safety Rope The properties from a good Safety Rope will include: Highly boyant (not sink) High Visibility Relativly easy to throw Reasonable strength Typically ropes used specificly for safety lines, are made from Polypropene due to its suitible properties as a material, on average the diameter of a safety rope would be around 10mm however this would obvioucly vary with the size and destinations of your vessle. The most important thing to look for when choosing a safety line would be boyancy and visibility, for obviouce reasons it is essential that the line is easy to see, and floats.

Halyard & Sheet Rope The properties of a good Halyard & Sheet Rope will include: Good strength Low stretch Flexible and easy to handle Good performance in running gear Easy to splice The most important thing to look for when buying Halyard & Sheet ropes, will be high strength under strain, and extremely low stetch, this is obvioucly important in keeping the shape of the sail, using a rope with a high stretch value when under strain will cause the sail to fluctuate in shape, which is disasterous for maintaining that perfect sail.

Mooring Rope The properties of a good Halyard & Sheet Rope will include: Good strength retainability Retainable flexability Easy to splice Good sheave action In almost al cases the best type of mooring rope to use would be 3-Strand Polyester, this is the general favourite because of its ability to stay soft and white when coming into contact with water. Nylon is the other popular material, however it's used far less because of its tendancy to siffen, and discolour when it absorbs water. Take care when purchasing a Mooring Rope to look into the stress your vessle will put on the rope, the best choice is to play safe and use a rope with a breaking load that far extends the likely weight caused by your vessle.