Euphoria Sailing has worked with South Wales Marine to develop these pages for your information
on boating in general and our services. For some of the further detail you may be redirected to the South Wales Marine web site.
Rope
Selection . . . . . Selecting the right type of rope is very important
due to the numerous different properties of different types of
ropes. Once you have chosen the right rope property then
length and diameter are as equally important.
Dacron (Polyester)
Braid on Braid . . . . . This Polyester Braid on Braid is ideal for
many cruising applications including: Halyards,
Sheets, Reefing Lines,
Furling Lines,
Topping Lifts. Polyester has excellent UV resistance and
sinks.
DYNEEMA
SK75 (High Modulus Polyethylene) . . . . .
with a 16 plait UV Resistant
Polyester cover is
good for Halyards, Guys, Sheets,
control lines and most
applications on board a Dinghy. High strength Dyneema core allows
for reduced rope diameter to lessen weight. Smaller diameters
of this material are ideal for Kite Surfing applications.
Geoprop (Polypropylene)
Floating Rescue Line This rope has moderate properties with regard
to strength, stretch and abrasive
resistance with poor UV resistance.
Polypropylene ropes retain their flexibility,
and do no stiffen in use. Polypropylene should NOT be used
as a Mooring or Berthing line due to its poor UV Resistance.
Its recommended use is to bring a man overboard back alongside
a vessel to effect a recovery.
Polyethylene is also used for floating rescue lines.
Nylon (Polyamide) . . . . . Suitable as Berthing, Mooring, Anchor & Towing
Lines.
Nylon lines have outstanding elasticity, and therefore absorb shock loads very
well. It has good UV resistance and sinks. When wet, Polyamide can loose up to
15% of its strength and shrinks.
Rope Maintenance
. . . . . Maintaining your ropes prolongs their
life and also prevents the fibres breaking down and un expectantly
parting.
Here are a few tips on caring for your ropes:
1.
Keep ropes out of direct sunlight when not in use - UV light
degrades.
2. Wash ropes with warm soapy water to rid of
salt deposits.
3. Whip, Splice or Heat Shrink the ends, this stops
fraying.
4. Correctly coil rope when not in use to prevent Kinks
from forming.
5. Always check rope for wear and tear, alter
the contact points regularly to prevent chafing at one point
and replace as necessary.
Rope/Wire Safety . . . . . Here are some safety tips for working with Rope and Wire:
1. Always use the Right Rope for the Right Job.
2.
Regularly check rope for wear and tear, chafing, broken strands,
oil, grease or paint stains, and kinks. These all reduce the
breaking strain and should be replaced as necessary.
3. Remember,
Knots, Bends or Hitches tied in rope reduce its breaking load
- See relevant section.
4. Regularly check wires for broken strands
and kinks.
5. Check termination points for signs of corrosion.
6. Never Stand
in a Bight or Coil.
7. Never Stand in line of recoil.
Office Lat 51° 35' 00.73" N, Long 4° 02' 45.24" W. Oxwich Beach Lat 51° 33' 25.32" N, Long 4° 09' 40.07" W. Swansea Marina Lat 51° 36' 54.39" N, Long 3° 56' 21.09" W.
