guard wires or rope?

[Ships_Cat]

Covered Spectra ropes are not used for winch applications, as far as I know, because slippage between the core and cover is a problem, so the results regarding the knots are not surprising given Spectra's very low melting point.

If you look at the paper I linked to earlier you will see that the rope they tested (a climbing one) was Blue Water Titan which has a nylon cover. Spectra rope used for marine purposes normally has a polyester cover to protect against friction and would certainly be used for lifelines to protect the core against chafe at the stanchions (whether spliced or not).

John

 

[LadyInBed]

If I were to use rope in place of wire I would use an eye splice round a thimble on both ends. The rope would be a few inches short so that I can tension it with either a bottle screw or cord laced through the ‘holes’ several times and finished with half hitches. (Not a great description but I am sure you have seen it done!)