Heat Shrink for Whipping Rope Ends?

[montenido]

Hi all. I just got a load of clear heat shrink (adhesive lined) in preparation for slowly rewiring my boat. Well, I put some on the end of some dock line and heated it up and I liked the results. Has anybody else done this before? It's kind of like a big shoe lace end. Being clear, I would think that moisture can eventually be dried by the sun. Can anybody see any downside to using heat shrink for this purpose? I am thinking of doing my reefing lines that are attached to the main. Last time out in a big blow they began to unravel. Anyway, thanks in advance for the input.

Fair winds, Bill

[tdw]

Originally Posted by montenido

Hi all. I just got a load of clear heat shrink (adhesive lined) in preparation for slowly rewiring my boat. Well, I put some on the end of some dock line and heated it up and I liked the results. Has anybody else done this before? It's kind of like a big shoe lace end. Being clear, I would think that moisture can eventually be dried by the sun. Can anybody see any downside to using heat shrink for this purpose? I am thinking of doing my reefing lines that are attached to the main. Last time out in a big blow they began to unravel. Anyway, thanks in advance for the input.

Fair winds, Bill

Hey, I like your thinking. I guess one question would be how it stands up to UV but that's about all I can come up with.

[blt2ski]

My wonder would be as to how soft/flexible the ends would be? Whenever I use heatshrinkwrap, it seems to be somewhat inflexible.

marty

[nereussailor]

I've seen it done before, but never done it on my lines. I also had a friend that used dip it. (for coating tool handles) It looks good, but don't know how it's still holding up.

[Omatako]

Heat shrink that I have used sets pretty hard when it's done - I wonder how long it will last before being cracked and broken by beinbg bashed around.

[administrator]

I use liquid rope whipping, especially useful for keeping ends from fraying too.

[sailingdog]

A proper line whipping, like a french whipping, only takes a few minutes to do. It doesn't affect the rope's flexibility as much... and doesn't risk damaging the rope due to exposure to high temperatures.

[kiprichard]

We use it all the time. Seems to work great. You can even color code lines. I concede it's probably not as good as whipping but it sure is fast. We use a heat gun set on low so I doubt there's any line damage.

[poopdeckpappy]

Try whipping with rescue tape, this stuff is great for all kinds of applications including line whipping

[BMCG]

I'm with SD...take a few extra minutes and do it right. If your near Norfolk, I'll help!