Dyneema for life lines vs stainless steel etc

[Bogieman]

Thoughts about using Dyneema rope for sail boat life lines vs SS or other materials?

[OrangeQuest]

I switched both on our trailer winch straps to the dyneema rope due to lighter, stronger and easy to tie. You can push the rope back into itself to quickly form loops for hooks or anything you want to connect to the end of the rope. We use the 50 foot winch line to pull the canoe up the steep banks at times. I use thimbles on them. It tightens on the end of the rope when you put force on it like "Chinese finger cuffs". To untie you just push the outer part of the rope and pull the end back out. At least that is the way the ones I got from HF work. I also use it for all our block and tackle gear for pulling logs around. 1/4" line with 2000 pound load capacity. Only thing I worry about is how well it holds up to the UV so I keep it covered as much as possible. For my uses I like the dyneema rope a lot.

[OrangeQuest]

Oh, if you decide to use the dyneema line instead of SS then I would recommend learning how to "whip" the line if you don't know how already. Makes for a very strong way to terminate a line and is very clean looking.

[Evan_Gatehouse]

I used it on our sailboat for 8 years on a circumnavigation. It stands up well to UV.

A simple tuck splice or a Brummel splice is the proper way to terminate. Whipping is just to stop the ends from fraying. With a splice you don't have any exposed ends. Tuck splices should be sewn through if there is a chance it could ever go slack (lifeline gates).

1/4" dyneema is about 6500 lbs breaking strength when new at the very low end. Much higher stuff strength is available but is overkill for lifelines.

Blog post I wrote about it:
http://maiaaboard.blogspot.com/2016/01/ ... r-fun.html

[Capt UB]

I used it on our sailboat for 8 years on a circumnavigation. It stands up well to UV.

A simple tuck splice or a Brummel splice is the proper way to terminate. Whipping is just to stop the ends from fraying. With a splice you don't have any exposed ends. Tuck splices should be sewn through if there is a chance it could ever go slack (lifeline gates).

1/4" dyneema is about 6500 lbs breaking strength when new at the very low end. Much higher stuff strength is available but is overkill for lifelines.

Blog post I wrote about it:
http://maiaaboard.blogspot.com/2016/01/ ... r-fun.html

I have always used SS wire for lifelines. I had for years bought the covered wire, then one day at an end fitting it broke!! Could have been a bad.... I removed the covered wire and use just SS wire. That was fine...... If I could do it again, I WOULD NOT USE SS WIRE AGAIN.

I would go with dyneema and like Even said. Learn to do proper slicing and buy the right tools to do so!

[Evan_Gatehouse]

well for the tuck splice in 1/4", the only tool you need is a metal coat hanger. Cut about a 12" long straight section.

[Bogieman]

Thank you for the input! Dyneema it will be.

[topwater]

Go to Hamilton Marine on line and they sell 50' and 100' leftovers from bigger orders much cheaper than
normal. I picked some up for my flag pole a couple years ago much cheaper.

[Bogieman]

Go to Hamilton Marine on line and they sell 50' and 100' leftovers from bigger orders much cheaper than
normal. I picked some up for my flag pole a couple years ago much cheaper.