Searush
Well-Known Member
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Rock climbing equipment it genrally rated with 2.5 tonne breaking strain and would want to see at least a 2 tonne rating on a boat. i went for plastic coated rigging wire that way you don't have the uv problems.
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The reason many people don't like wire is the way it rolls underfoot when you walk up the side decks. Given the narrowness of most side decks it is almost impossible to avoid stepping on it, foot rolls to side as boat lurches & there you are, sent over the side by the very safety gear designed to save you! OK, if it holds, you only get a nasty shock & a soaking (if you can get back aboard). But with webbing, you would not have gone in.
I made my own with a single length of webbing, a clove hitch in the middle round the stem cleat & re-inforcing hand stitching to stop it slipping. They then ran loose thro' the main shroud deck fittings & were tied off with a clove hitch at each end at the stern cleats. I chose clove hitches as they impose very little stress on the webbing &, supported by decent hand stitching (copy the paterns used on seat belts) will not slip. A clove hitch significantly reduces the strain on the stitching without reducing the strength of the webbing too much.
BTW, I found I didn't use them that much & after I removed them for cleaning a few years ago I haven't bothered replacing them. But I tend not to go out in bad weather & minimise foredeck work as much as possible when on passage.
Not having jackstays also tends to concentrate the mind somewhat - you never let go with both hands at the same time. Just like going aloft on a full rigger, you don't let go until securely tied on!
Rock climbing equipment it genrally rated with 2.5 tonne breaking strain and would want to see at least a 2 tonne rating on a boat. i went for plastic coated rigging wire that way you don't have the uv problems.
[/ QUOTE ]
The reason many people don't like wire is the way it rolls underfoot when you walk up the side decks. Given the narrowness of most side decks it is almost impossible to avoid stepping on it, foot rolls to side as boat lurches & there you are, sent over the side by the very safety gear designed to save you! OK, if it holds, you only get a nasty shock & a soaking (if you can get back aboard). But with webbing, you would not have gone in.
I made my own with a single length of webbing, a clove hitch in the middle round the stem cleat & re-inforcing hand stitching to stop it slipping. They then ran loose thro' the main shroud deck fittings & were tied off with a clove hitch at each end at the stern cleats. I chose clove hitches as they impose very little stress on the webbing &, supported by decent hand stitching (copy the paterns used on seat belts) will not slip. A clove hitch significantly reduces the strain on the stitching without reducing the strength of the webbing too much.
BTW, I found I didn't use them that much & after I removed them for cleaning a few years ago I haven't bothered replacing them. But I tend not to go out in bad weather & minimise foredeck work as much as possible when on passage.
Not having jackstays also tends to concentrate the mind somewhat - you never let go with both hands at the same time. Just like going aloft on a full rigger, you don't let go until securely tied on!