Guardrails

[Hermit]

Hello, I need to replace my guardrails this winter (wire parting) and was idly wondering about using some cordage such as spectra/dyneema instead of wire. To my mind it is strong, easy to work, nicer to handle for the kids especially, can be cut quickly to recover MOB, doesn't have any 'Faraday Cage' implications, may prevent people clipping on thinking 'it is wire must be secure' but may be a bit more expensive and posibly less hardwearing.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the matter? I sure if it was all as good as the above we would all have done it years ago!

Rob

 

[billcowan]

I think the ultra violent light will do for any sort of plastic rope in no time. Indeed the better the plastic, the quicker it goes.
The main trouble is you have no way to measure degradation until it just snaps.

That said, there is quite a fashion for wire on the top, rope on the bottom.

If you do use rope, make it polyester, with a black cover, and very thick. My mainsheet is twenty years old and still good.

Mind you, if you were prepaired to de-rig the guard rails every time you left the boat for any length of time it would be well and ok.

 

[damo]

Personally I would be happy to use the method you suggest, although I don't need to because I have fitted Parafil lines. This is much nicer stuff than s/s wire.

NB Offshore Racing rules require bare s/s wire, min 6mm. There must be a reason for this, even though synthetic lines are supposed to be as strong, and much nicer to handle.

 

[Spars]

[ QUOTE ]

NB Offshore Racing rules require bare s/s wire, min 6mm. There must be a reason for this, even though synthetic lines are supposed to be as strong, and much nicer to handle.

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe S/S is less elastic, if it matters.

 

[santeana]

Thought this was to ensure any degradation was visible rather than hidden under the sheath.

 

[damo]

More likely it is because it is "traditional"? I have been thrown hard against Parafil lines on the foredeck a couple of times, and the stretch provides some nice cushioning. S/S, whether covered or not, can cause deep narrow bruising, as I have also discovered /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Parafil has the strength in the core, and the soft plastic sheath provides the protection, in a similar way to dynamic climbing rope. The core is polyester or aramid, and the sheath can be polyethylene, amongst other things. It is also used industrially for roof supports, bridge stays, tensioning systems etc, and can be used for rigging.

This isn't an ad for the stuff, BTW, I am just trying to make the point that because s/s wire is usually used it doesn't mean that there aren't superior alternatives out there. Otherwise we would still be using tarred manilla /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[damo]

Yes, bare wire is less likely to corrode, and damage is visible. My point was meant to be why should only s/s be allowed?

 

[fishermantwo]

Never heard of parafil but after googling it I'm impressed. Mailspeed marine have it in stock plus all the bits for guardrails.

 

[Bajansailor]

I dont think further recommendation is needed, but if it is, all of the RNLI offshore lifeboats have used parafil for their guardrails for many years now - it is the best way to go for sure (IMHO).

 

[damo]

The end fittings are expensive though, and the instructions need to be followed to the letter to get the right tension in the lines, although it is possible to re-do them if they need shortening (they work the same way as rigging terminals, with a compressed cone to grip the core)

 

[MoodySabre]

[ QUOTE ]
may prevent people clipping on thinking 'it is wire must be secure'

[/ QUOTE ]

Does anybody clip on to a guardrail?

 

[Orla]

I would have thought chaff would be a problem where the cordage goes through the guardrail, constant movement of fenders pulling down on it and people holding and pulling on the cordage, I think would wear pretty quickly.

 

[Graham_Wright]

[ QUOTE ]
More likely it is because it is "traditional"? I have been thrown hard against Parafil lines on the foredeck a couple of times, and the stretch provides some nice cushioning. S/S, whether covered or not, can cause deep narrow bruising, as I have also discovered /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif



[/ QUOTE ]

I guess a spring link could be introduced somewhere in a SS guardrail to provide a little give.