Lifeline - wire vs. braid?

[DavidMcMullan]

According to the Offshore Special Regs my boat requires either 4mm wire or 5mm HMPE braid (Dyneema/Spectra) lifelines. My boat currently has plastic coated wire.
Have any of you changed from wire to braid? If so, how do they compare?

 

[Neeves]

I thought Dyneema had been 'withdrawn' in the most recent Regs as a lifeline product after a few spectacular failures. Sheets, spinnaker, rubbing on Dyneema will cut through it very quickly.

We replaced our lifelines coated SS lifelines with Dyneema about 5 years ago and by far prefer it. We used halyard (scaffold) knots and the original turnbuckles to secure. We don't use a spinnaker so do not have that issue. There is a fear expressed about UV degradation and I confess i have not tested our used cordage but it 'looks' the same as when installed. The only way to test is chop off a piece - which would mean buying more. I'll be corrected but UV degradation might be foremost in the minds of the armchair critics and have little, or not significant, substance.

Jonathan

 

[Ceirwan]

I believe ISAF are changing the regulations this year.

Full report here: https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/cb8ff1fd-5fc3-43a0-b9cb-ce8c04975a40
(Stolen from Sailing Anarchy)

Important bit:

Conclusion
Previous research and test suggest that HMPE lifelines are capable of performing the necessary
requirements that are met by wire lifelines in an ideal world, with correct assembly, associated
materials, maintenance and usage. However, it is apparent that with the allowance of HMPE to be
used for lifelines we have and will continue to see more failures than if HMPE is not permitted. The risk
of crew members ending up in the water, both inshore and offshore is increased if HMPE lifelines are
used rather than stainless steel wire, for reasons other than the materials ultimate strength, and for
reasons that may be unrecognised by the crews until it is too late.
Recommended submission
Replace OSR 3.14.6 with
Lifeline Minimum Diameters, Required Materials, Specification
a) Lifelines shall be of:
- stranded stainless steel wire. or
- High Modulus Polyethylene (HMPE) (Dyneema®/Spectra® or equivalent) rope (Braid on braid
is recommended)
b) The minimum diameter is specified in table 8 below
c) Stainless steel lifelines shall be uncoated and used without close-fitting sleeving, however,
temporary sleeving may be fitted provided it is regularly removed for inspection.
d) When stainless wire is used, Grade 316 is recommended.
e) When HMPE (Dyneema®/Spectra®) is used, it shall be spliced in accordance with the
manufacturer’s recommended procedures.
ef) A taut lanyard of synthetic rope may be used to secure lifelines provided the gap it closes does
not exceed 100 mm (4in). This lanyard shall be replaced annually at a minimum.
g) All wire, fittings, anchorage points, fixtures and lanyards shall comprise a lifeline enclosure
system which has at all points at least the breaking strength of the required lifeline wire.

 

[GHA]

According to the Offshore Special Regs my boat requires either 4mm wire or 5mm HMPE braid (Dyneema/Spectra) lifelines. My boat currently has plastic coated wire.
Have any of you changed from wire to braid? If so, how do they compare?

I installed dyneema lifelines a few weeks ago from the old kinked wire. Feels a bit softer to the hands, and as it's a bit bigger it's easier on the hands. All dyneema is not the same, i used marlow d12 max sk99 as I got a bundle free used once off a job. UV is a non issue, coatings protect it and anyway, even if the dyneema looses 50% of its' strength it will still rip your push/pull pit out of the deck before it goes. The D12 seems very chafe resistant, I have had short strops in line with mooring lines for a while now as a test, hardly any degradation after some very bouncy weather in marinas. Installation is easy, a hour on youtube learning the modified brommel splice and off you go. No need to get a rigging company involved to crimp. Downside - not cheap.

 

[Graham_Wright]

even if the dyneema looses 50% of its' strength it will still rip your push/pull pit out of the deck before it goes

Why would a lifeline be connected to push/pullpit? Don't understand.:nonchalance:

 

[GHA]

Why would a lifeline be connected to push/pullpit? Don't understand.:nonchalance:

Where else would they go? Are we talking about the same thing here? Lifelines/guardwires - what you tie your fenders to

 

[Ceirwan]

Why would a lifeline be connected to push/pullpit? Don't understand.:nonchalance:

Maybe you're talking about Jack Stays? These things:

Back to the Ops question, there is no doubt that Dyneema etc will do the job well, but it sounded like you want to comply with (future) ISAF regulation, you'll need wire.

The current 2016/2017 regs state that synthetics are OK so if its just a one off event, you'll be fine.

 

[KellysEye]

I would always use wire not Dynemma/Specta wire has been been used for lifelines for decades and it doesn't fail. I also wouldn't have plastic coated wire either you can't see if there is any corrosion.

 

[dom]

Very swanky finish there I must say! :encouragement:

 

[GHA]

Very swanky finish there I must say! :encouragement:

Not my boat Straight out of google.

Here's mine...

 

[Graham_Wright]

Maybe you're talking about Jack Stays? These things:

Back to the Ops question, there is no doubt that Dyneema etc will do the job well, but it sounded like you want to comply with (future) ISAF regulation, you'll need wire.

The current 2016/2017 regs state that synthetics are OK so if its just a one off event, you'll be fine.

Yes jackstays. Guard wires are my preferred desciption. Not being pedantic, but lifelines/jackstays are not best made with wire which rolls underfoot.

 

[KellysEye]

>Yes jackstays. Guard wires are my preferred desciption. Not being pedantic, but lifelines/jackstays are not best made with wire which rolls underfoot.

You don't walk on lifelines they are above deck level. You are right about jackstays they should be made of flat webbing not wire, as ours were.

 

[Ceirwan]

Yes jackstays. Guard wires are my preferred desciption. Not being pedantic, but lifelines/jackstays are not best made with wire which rolls underfoot.

Well they're called jackstays regardless of what your preferred description is!

And you're correct they are best made of webbing. Easier on the deck as well.