Lifeline Material, SS only?

Lancer28 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007

On lifelines, could I potentially use a nice white and color specked double braid line, or does it have to be Stainless Steel?

I like having a new look to my lifelines rather than how crummy the plastic coated Stainless ones have been looking only after a year of being on the boat. I wouldn't mind replacing them often, but the cost is prohibitive on Stainless, and why I'm asking about using poly double braid or something similar.

tenuki · #2 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007

Lot of people are using Spectra.

http://www.briontoss.com/spartalk/showthread.php?t=182

JomsViking · #3 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007

Why not? The Dashews uses it: http://www.setsail.com/c_central/tec...llconnect.html
Actually it seems like a great idea

sailingdog · #4 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007

Spectra is lighter and easier on the hands than stainless steel, but not as abrasion resistant. But uncovered stainless steel is much better than vinyl coated stainless.

tenuki · #5 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007

The riggers I talked to this spring when I got my lifelines replaced all said they didn't even do coated lines anymore due to safety concerns. I think it is in some racing rules now too.

sailingdog · #6 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007

Yup... ISAF just redid their safety guidelines to exclude coated lifelines a few years ago.

Lancer28 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007

I think the non-metal lifelines would be more comfortable to smash into in rough seas than a hard line.

Honestly, I would trust my splicing and rigging into double braid spectra than those pinch-on metal things that have slipped out on me in the past.

Another thought, was what if I had a MOB and he somehow needed us to grab him over a lifeline or was entangled? I carry a rigging knife on my belt, but not a bolt cutter... time counts in our cold waters for MOB and hypothermia sets in fast. I could easily cut through it and make the grab.

sailingdog · #8 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancer28

Honestly, I would trust my splicing and rigging into double braid spectra than those pinch-on metal things that have slipped out on me in the past.

Spectra is one of the slicker synthetic lines, and IIRC as such usually has a slightly different splicing technique than traditional double braids.

Quote:

Another thought, was what if I had a MOB and he somehow needed us to grab him over a lifeline or was entangled? I carry a rigging knife on my belt, but not a bolt cutter... time counts in our cold waters for MOB and hypothermia sets in fast. I could easily cut through it and make the grab.

Many people use lashings at one end of the lifelines for just that reason.