Marking Halyards

[AlexL]

I've marked up the reefing points on my main halyard on the new boat with electrical tape but want to use something more permanent. I'm thinking maybe some sort of paint / dye which will leech into the threads in the ropes- any ideas on what to use?

 

[jerryat]

Hi Alex,

Nothing worthy of a Nobel prize I'm afraid, but we have used a black permanent marker pen for years. The marks (we go all round the rope for about 20mm) last at least a season, but it's cheap and quick to spruce them up a bit if they fade.

Do different colours too, although black works on the halyards, reef lines etc we have.

Cheers Jerry

 

[Thistle]

Permanent markers are fine but the usual ones fade quite quickly. Try going to an agricultural supplier and getting the markers used for animals' ear tags: they're designed for use outside and I can vouch for their effectiveness. Main downside is that they tend to be any colour you want as long as it's black.

 

[eyupdougdown]

Stitch in some coloured twine

 

[Vara]

Permanent Markers,Felt tips from W H Smith do the job,but as the name would suggest cannot be adjusted to allow for stretch.
Next time I do this I will do it with black thread whipped around reference point.
Don't like tape as it leaves a gungy residue.

 

[ghost]

agree with eyeup+down,
stitching with obvious coloured whipping twine, done carefully will also give you a braille like quality at night

 

[steve_cronin]

Just a question.

How do rope clutches deal with these irregular bumps?

Steve Cronin