How do you decide when to throw a rope away

[dylanwinter]

there was a recent posting on here about replacing halyards and should the bloke discard the old ones before the new ones arrived

I was amazed on several levels by the question

.......................................

I have two rope bags on board

A bag full of good ones

and a bag of bad ones

This is my bad rope bag

I am not proud of it

http://youtu.be/s_ur66aJetc

Dylan

 

[Evadne]

There are some things you can never have too much of, and rope is one of them. Only two bags? Perhaps you need a bigger boat Dylan. Or a shed.

The only time I throw rope away is when I can part it by pulling on it, or if after I've cut the frayed bits out, all I'm left with is pillow stuffing.

 

[Sans Bateau]

Replace them as soon as they get dirty, thats the norm isnt it?

 

[prv]

How do you decide when to throw a rope away?

Simple: never.

I don't keep it all on the boat; there's not room. I have a crate and a big tub full in the shed, and a selection of the best bits on board.

Pete

 

[skpt]

but have you got a string drawer?

 

[dylanwinter]

re-assuring yet frightening

these posts are re-assuring in that I am now alone in my affliction

I feel part of a sort of brotherhood

but I am also deeply concerned that my condition could deteriorate seriously as the years tick by

Self help group meetings scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month


however....my father in law not only gave me a Solo dinghy which I raxced for five years before selling to pay for the slug but he also gave me a wonderful bag of ropes - some of which I cherish and use to this day.

 

[rickym]

but have you got a string drawer?

Oh yes!

 

[Poignard]

Throw old rope away?

'As ee never made baggywrinkle or oakum, boy?

 

[Searush]

Decorative knots, fenders, mats for hot pans, doormats, toggles for bells, cover for tiller or wheel, There is always a use for old rope.

 

[LadyInBed]

When at the boat yard one of my ports of call is the skip, to retrieve any discarded but usable rope
Cut out the frayed bits, remake the ends and give them a wash - good as new

 

[Billjratt]

Never throw out, and always accept/pick up other peeps castoffs (see what I did?)
Even if a piece is too short to be of use, you can practice new splicing techniques.
So, to go with your buckets of bits, do you all have a fully kitted out bosun's bag?

I'm sure the type of person who hoards rope of dubious pedigree would also rather stick pins in his eyeballs than pay someone else for an eyesplice or hybrid halliard splice.

 

[Twister_Ken]

" How do you decide when to throw a rope away"

When it's too short to tie a knot in.

 

[Clyde_Wanderer]

Never throw out, and always accept/pick up other peeps castoffs (see what I did?)
Even if a piece is too short to be of use, you can practice new splicing techniques.
So, to go with your buckets of bits, do you all have a fully kitted out bosun's bag?

I'm sure the type of person who hoards rope of dubious pedigree would also rather stick pins in his eyeballs than pay someone else for an eyesplice or hybrid halliard splice.

Afraid in that respect I have good eyesight and an empty wallet.

Anyone want to buy in date standing rigging?
C_W

 

[blackbeard]

Careful now.
I know of one instance where a rope was rescued from a skip. It broke at a critical moment during berthing. This proved expensive.
Best not to keep, or rescue, a rope if you can't be sure it's OK - applies especially to natural fibres or polyprop

 

[Searush]

Careful now.
I know of one instance where a rope was rescued from a skip. It broke at a critical moment during berthing. This proved expensive.
Best not to keep, or rescue, a rope if you can't be sure it's OK - applies especially to natural fibres or polyprop

I'm sorry, but why was that person relying on a stressed rope when berthing? I don't think I have ever done that. You go alongside & then tie off. It's a little harder for me as I may need to climb a ladder with my bow & stern lines in hand, so the boat has to be stopped in her berth before can I try that.

I understand that in strong winds you may need to surge a rope round a cleat to manage a boat, but you simply wouldn't pick a frayed or UV affected rope for that task, or would you? Are you saying that this failed rope had no visible signs of weakness? I've never had a rope fail that wasn't showing signs of weakness & therefore expected to fail shortly, consequently, they don't fail at critical moments.

 

[mcframe]

but have you got a string drawer?

Two, surely.

One labeled "Spare bits of string" and another labeled "Bits of string (too small to be worth keeping)" ;-)

Come to think of it, I've a tub in the garage of "Nuts and bolts (too rusty to use, but might come in handy someday)"...

 

[Billjratt]

I thought string drawers were a thing of the past, like the vests.

 

[Nostrodamus]

Throw your wife's shoes or dresses out but surely anything boaty should never be discarded and be kept in the "just in case" locker.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Throw your wife's shoes or dresses out but surely anything boaty should never be discarded and be kept in the "just in case" locker.

Still got my oilskins that were before the oilskins that were before the current oilskins "just in case".

 

[lustyd]

Sometimes they're well organised and wrapped up in elastic bands

Dylan you make me chuckle sometimes - why on earth would you wrap rope in an elastic band? For a start, elastic bands will rot on the boat but mostly why not just use the rope to tie itself?