Ugly lifelines

[Mark1948]

WM sells coverings that can be slipped over existing wire.

[brak]

Originally Posted by craigtoo

I know you didn't ask me.... but I paid about 1700 for a 34 foot boat.

Originally Posted by sailingdog

If you have double life lines, it would cost about $450-900 to do a 35' boat using the kits that Halekai pointed out in post #3 depending on if you have gates or not.

That's a pretty big range. I would spend $450 no problem, but $900 or $1700 - that's definitely not in the cards. I'll check out the kits at some point. Ideally I'd like to remove my current lifelines, send them somwhere and get the same thing but new. I don't have any gates, just a few clip fittings on rear end (that can be reused, they are in excellent shape)

[sailingdog]

Well, if you want a gate on one side and have double lifelines, it would be $220 for the side without the gate and $450 for the side with the gate. That'd be $670 for the whole kit, which isn't too bad.

[craigtoo]

Sorry, my data point is inaccurate. I just revisted my Invoice.

In that price is also some material for standing rigging, let me recalculate...

Looks like it was about 950.

Sorry for the confusion....

[brak]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Well, if you want a gate on one side and have double lifelines, it would be $220 for the side without the gate and $450 for the side with the gate. That'd be $670 for the whole kit, which isn't too bad.

No gates, just plain old lifelines with turnbuckles (and I can fit the clamp onto turnbuckle myself, thankyouverymuch ). Would you mind posting the link to the kit once more? I seem to be missing it.

[sailingdog]

Brak-

Here you go. LINK

[papasailor]

Thanks for the advice. I have decided to replace my lines and do the swages myself and probably use the bare wire without vinyl. I have a swage tool but will use the bench mounted tool at West Marine where I probably will buy the wire.

Quick attach norsman connectors would simplify the job but increase the price quite a bit. Posts seem divided between strength and the safety aspect of swaging. However, I agree the lifeline is really a trip wire at knee height and probably would break off the stanchions if any considerable weight were thrown against them. (me for instance)

For those who have done this themselves, can I be reasonably safe using the swage connectors and doing it myself? Rest assured when I swage them, I will put my "considerable weight" on the handle of the bench mounted swager for maximum squeezing.

[timebandit]

Originally Posted by Plumper

Strip the plastic off and have a look. If the wire is still good, keep the life lines you've got, free! If the are corroded, replace them.

That is what I did!!

[Freesail99]

If there just ugly but still safe, you could cover them with netting, which also helps stops sails from going into the water.

[knothead]

Originally Posted by brak

Knothead, what would it cost to replace lifelines on a 35 foot boat?

Assuming you have upper and lower lifelines and no gates. $560.00 for 3/16" uncoated 1x19. Open-body turnbuckle at one end and a toggle-jaw at the other. Gates will significantly increase the cost.

Originally Posted by papasailor;

Thanks for the advice. I have decided to replace my lines and do the swages myself and probably use the bare wire without vinyl. I have a swage tool but will use the bench mounted tool at West Marine where I probably will buy the wire.

Quick attach norsman connectors would simplify the job but increase the price quite a bit. Posts seem divided between strength and the safety aspect of swaging. However, I agree the lifeline is really a trip wire at knee height and probably would break off the stanchions if any considerable weight were thrown against them. (me for instance)

For those who have done this themselves, can I be reasonably safe using the swage connectors and doing it myself? Rest assured when I swage them, I will put my "considerable weight" on the handle of the bench mounted swager for maximum squeezing.

When you say you have a swage tool are you refering to a Nico-press tool?

If you are planning to do this yourself then I am assuming you are using the C.Sherman Johnson hand crimp fitting. If so you must use their tool. A regular Nico-press tool is not sized correctly. Check the C.S.J. catalog.
Last I checked, West Marine stores do not have swaging machines available for public use.