Are Three Strand Lines Created Equal?

[DaBod]

I assume the answer is no, but I have noticed three strand nylon all over the place and it is consistently priced cheaper than what is offered at West Marine. Am I doing my boat a disservice by building docklines purchased from Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, or even an army surplus?

[MastUndSchotbruch]

Originally Posted by DaBod

I assume the answer is no, but I have noticed three strand nylon all over the place and it is consistently priced cheaper than what is offered at West Marine. Am I doing my boat a disservice by building docklines purchased from Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, or even an army surplus?

Excellent question. There are also many online vendors, ebay etc that have much lower prices than WM. I also would like to know whether 1/2" nylon is 1/2" nylon is 1/2" nylon...

[DonScribner]

I can't speak for 3 strand but if you compare the tensile strength of plaited ropes that you can buy at big box stores, it's SCARY the difference. 1/4" line at WallyWorld - 75 lbs 1/4" line at Worst Marine - 2200 lbs. Pretty much, you get what you pay for. If it's for a temporary bow line, while you buy beer at the marine, buy cheap, use 2. If it's going to hold you to the bottom in a blow, pay the extra $30.

[sww914]

Nope. We have three rope rodes for three anchors. All the same size and all marine stuff. One is old and ugly and the other two are new. The two new ones are white with a red & yellow tracer and they're junk, problems every time we use them. The old one is problem free.

[zz4gta]

What is it made out of and what construction process was used to make it? The double braid stuff at home depot is just junk. Stretchy and low strength. It's meant to be used as tie downs for moving a couch to a new appartment. Not on a boat.

Who buys rope from WM anyway? The markup on some of their rope is 300% from cost. Never buy rope from WM.

[DaBod]

Originally Posted by zz4gta

What is it made out of and what construction process was used to make it? The double braid stuff at home depot is just junk. Stretchy and low strength. It's meant to be used as tie downs for moving a couch to a new appartment. Not on a boat.

Who buys rope from WM anyway? The markup on some of their rope is 300% from cost. Never buy rope from WM.

Unfortunately here in OK we are pretty limited as to where to buy such things. Guess I'll start looking online. Thanks for the info!

[zz4gta]

DaBod, look at Defender or Cajun ropes. Hard to beat their prices. I used to order stuff from Defender all the time and save up to buy a bunch of stuff at once to save on shipping.

[jameswilson29]

Check out BassPro for three strand nylon anchor line - great prices and just as good from my experience.

[SloopJonB]

If you ask what the elongation and breaking strength are and they look confused, shop elsewhere.