Kevlar guardwires?

[pessimist]

Had the boat moved in our absence and they tied the fenders to the lower guardwire - grrr. They may have inadvertently done us a favour as the wire broke at the pelican hook at the gate. This rather suggests that all the guardwiresneed replacing. Anyone tried using kevlar or similar or is this a particularly daft idea?

 

[prv]

Dyneema guardrails are sometimes used.

Some technical info here: http://www.ussailing.org/wp-content...yneema Spectra Lifeline Revision Jan 2014.pdf

Pete

 

[sarabande]

The temptation with Dyneema/Kevlar is to go for a smaller size for similar strength. However, I feel that guard lines are there to be grabbed, and held on to, so a diameter which is comfortable to grip is worth considering.

 

[pessimist]

Thanks both. The pdf is particularly interesting. Food for thought.

 

[Roberto]

Thanks both. The pdf is particularly interesting. Food for thought.

The ISAF has recently decided to remove the possibility to use HMPE lines for the higher category races (starting sometimes 2015 or 2016, it's one of their latest modifications to OSR).
Of course if you are not interested in races you do not have to comply, nonetheless the Federation safety orientation has now changed.



addition, see this link for more info and comments
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?407317-Dyneema-life-lines&p=5158035&highlight=#post5158035

 

[Iain C]

I'd avoid it personally.

Kevlar is fine, right up until the moment it goes bang. There's no warning or visual degradation, it just tends to let go. I've had a few dinghy halyards go pop at the wrong moment.

 

[wklein]

Kevlar is a terrible and outdated product. Dyneema is a different matter. It's worked fine on my previous boat. Used to chafe like crazy on genoa sheets.

 

[deep denial]

slight drift perhaps - but is there any actual evidence, as opposed to opinion, that guard wires improve safety at all. My own feeling is that they act as a tripwire whilst providing false sense of security, not to mention hindrance in recovering mobs.

 

[TradewindSailor]

slight drift perhaps - but is there any actual evidence, as opposed to opinion, that guard wires improve safety at all. My own feeling is that they act as a tripwire whilst providing false sense of security, not to mention hindrance in recovering mobs.

It depends on the situation. If you are standing up and fall back against them you will probably be tripped, but then you would probably go overboard if they weren't there as well. However if you have fallen over and sliding down to the Lee deck edge I am sure you will be grateful that they are there rather than relying on the stupidly small toe rails that you get nowadays.

 

[lpdsn]

slight drift perhaps - but is there any actual evidence, as opposed to opinion, that guard wires improve safety at all. My own feeling is that they act as a tripwire whilst providing false sense of security, not to mention hindrance in recovering mobs.

I've seen a crew member on a racer fall across the coachroof and bouch off the lee guardrails. Would've gone overboard otherwise.

 

[charles_reed]

Had the boat moved in our absence and they tied the fenders to the lower guardwire - grrr. They may have inadvertently done us a favour as the wire broke at the pelican hook at the gate. This rather suggests that all the guardwiresneed replacing. Anyone tried using kevlar or similar or is this a particularly daft idea?

Not at all daft - dyneema is stronger than plastic-covered stainless of a similar diameter and cheaper once you include the swaged fittings; I've used it for the last 18 years.
There are downsides - kevlar, because of its work-hardening and lack of uv resisitance is no go. Dyneema/Spectra does stretch and need tightening, and the casing will wear, where it goes through the stamchions.
Upsides - people give up trying to handle your boat by the guard-rail, you don't have cracked ribs when you get thrown against it but hanging fenders isn't on because of the point-load distortion.
Steve Dashew uses it and recommends it - NOT Kevlar.

 

[bbg]

I've seen a crew member on a racer fall across the coachroof and bouch off the lee guardrails. Would've gone overboard otherwise.

I have personally fallen across the cockpit and into the lee rails. I was clipped on at the time but it would not have been fun to go over as I was singlehanded, mid Atlantic and going 12 knots.