Best rope brands ?

[Boo2]

Hi,

I am thinking of replacing the running rigging on my UFO 34 and am interested to know the best makes of braid on braid ropes available at a reasonable price in the UK ? I've heard of Liros & Marlow but are there other brands about that are as good or better ?

And while I'm here, how important is low-stretch in a rope for my purposes (non-racing) ?

Thanks,

Boo2

 

[merlin3688]

English Braids is another good make. They also do what's called a Cruising Dyneema which is cheaper then Racing Dyneema and Ideal for non racing boats. Kingfisher I have also heard good things about but not used it myself.

 

[Seajet]

Boo2,

pre-stretched rope is a good - I'd say essential - idea for halliards ( racing or cruising ) but that's about it.

Sheets need to be thick enough to handle, nothing to do with strength - but I expect you knew that !

XM is a firm set up by ' Ex Marlow ' rope workers, hence the name; while I applaud the idea I have found some of their products to be on the ' economy ' side.

 

[Plevier]

Good prices on Liros from http://stores.ebay.co.uk/UK-YACHT-R...b=6680053&_sid=76102910&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322 (they do Liros Dyneema too).

Good prices also from http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Boatropes/...=8385414&_sid=118398646&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322 Barry Edwards (who posts on here.) It's braid on braid from USA or Canada, not sure which, and actually imperial diameters. It seems OK.

A friend of mine has had to return defective Kingfisher rope (bought full price from the chandler 2 miles east of where your boat currently lies!) twice, I would avoid it personally.

If you don't want to go to Dyneema for halyards, braid on 3 strand (Marlowbraid) stretches only half as much as braid on braid (Doublebraid), according to Marlow. I have some ready to fit that I bought at SIBS from I think http://www.ropelocker.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=13_14 or possibly http://outdoorxscape.co.uk/store/marine-rope/sheets-halyards-rope.html, they are both keenly priced.

BTW Marlow is owned by English Braids now since going bust, but they keep separate identities and factories.

 

[Gwylan]

Try Ropeloft, he's pretty reliable and we have had stuff from him at reasonable prices over the last couple of years.

 

[PlankWalker]

Marlowbraid, have used nothing else for halyards now for 20 years

Plank

 

[gjgm]

Try marinesuperstore.. At least you know what you are getting with Marlow rope, and their prices seem extremely good. Why bother with something uncertain at those prices.

 

[TiggerToo]

Good prices also from http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Boatropes/...=8385414&_sid=118398646&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322 Barry Edwards (who posts on here.) It's braid on braid from USA or Canada, not sure which, and actually imperial diameters. It seems OK.

Another definite, full marks, vote for Barry. I have bought all running rigging from him on Tigger (for the last 8 years) and have not been disappointed. Give him a call and place you order: you'll get the stuff by return of post. He'll send you free samples to look at, if in doubt. Now, I just follow his advice - it has never failed us.

 

[charles_reed]

At the risk of being labelled chauvinist I'd recommend English Braids or Marlow over Liros as they're made in England.

On the other hand, like Vyv, I buy most of my rope from Barry Edwards of Boatropes who is consistently reasonably priced, excellent to deal with and always has first class products, many of which he sources in the US.

His sales window is http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yacht-braid-braid-rope-8mm-12mm-Re-rig-singles-/330350768571

and I can thoroughly recommend him - he doesn't take credit cards though, I pay him by ETS.

 

[vyv_cox]

On the other hand, like Vyv, I buy most of my rope from Barry Edwards of Boatropes who is consistently reasonably priced, excellent to deal with and always has first class products, many of which he sources in the US.

Can't fault your memory Charles - I didn't post in this thread! However, I endorse your words, Barry provides an excellent service and top quality product. The vast majority of his ropes are imperial sizes, so perhaps not a perfect match for what is in the chandleries, but near enough to make no difference.

 

[alahol2]

At the risk of thread creep but it doesn't deserve its own thread... I am looking to order some signal halyard. Is it 2mm nylon braid that I need?

 

[sailorman]

that will be ok but i would go to 3m/m

 

[alahol2]

Thanks, couldn't remember what's on the boat, will go for 3mm.

 

[Seajet]

that will be ok but i would go to 3m/m

Sailorman,

may I ask why ?

Unless you're an ex - Admiral type showing everyone your inside leg measurements there shouldn't be much load on a signal halliard, and even for cruising people it's all windage and drag !

 

[sailorman]

just better for chafe & will double up ( if taken the x trees) for radar reflector

 

[johnphilip]

Disloyalty, hide my face

I needed a new Dyneema main halliard and best deal was on Gleistein Ropes from Foxs. I should have gone for British as mentioned above but the best deal is probably to be had by ringing local suppliers and seeing if they have a reel end long enough for your boat, which is what I did. Sorry English Braid. Really annoying was the offering from another source which was about 1 metre less than I dared try.

 

[Norman_E]

Marlowbraid is very good for halyards. Unfortunately for me the main chandler in Marmaris that used to sell it has closed, but I think there is one other there that stocks it.

 

[dancrane]

Did anybody buy rope from that stand at the Southampton Boat Show? It was a perfectly official stall, except for the ropes' appearance of having been chucked out on a table like an M&S clothing counter after the first day of the sales.

I thought some of the line looked like good value, but eventually held on to my cash. Especially since I don't have a boat to attach it to, just now.

 

[Plevier]

Did anybody buy rope from that stand at the Southampton Boat Show? It was a perfectly official stall, except for the ropes' appearance of having been chucked out on a table like an M&S clothing counter after the first day of the sales.

I thought some of the line looked like good value, but eventually held on to my cash. Especially since I don't have a boat to attach it to, just now.

To my eyes there were several stands meeting that description (including English Braids but they weren't cheap)! I bought some, wish I knew who from.

 

[Tranona]

Probably Outdoorxscape who sell Kingfisher. Bough a new 10mm length for topping lift a couple of years ago. Looks just as good as English Braid and half the price as it was a reel end that was just right leength.