Ok to remove guard wire plastic covering?

[bitbaltic]

The major problem with stripping off the plastic is that the wire inside is likely to be one size too small. The one thing that keeps me from replacing mine with uncovered SS wire is the cost of twelve swaged eyes. As has been said above, ISAF rules do not allow plastic covering unless easily removable for inspection. Dyneema is now accepted for lifelines instead of metal wire.

Dyneema is a great idea. I was going to replace our guard wires this winter, think I might go for Dyneema for the lot instead. Hadn't thought of it at all before. Cheers

 

[Carduelis]

Dyneema sounds a good idea. How is it terminated at the ends? Just in a knot? My wire lines have swaged terminals and turnbuckles. What sort of thickness is equivalent in strength to 4mm wire?

 

[jwilson]

I found that mine snagged hair after the covering was removed.

Same here, replaced with new uncovered wire which is much smoother.

 

[savageseadog]

The major problem with stripping off the plastic is that the wire inside is likely to be one size too small. The one thing that keeps me from replacing mine with uncovered SS wire is the cost of twelve swaged eyes. As has been said above, ISAF rules do not allow plastic covering unless easily removable for inspection. Dyneema is now accepted for lifelines instead of metal wire.

Not by RORC its not

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Not by RORC its not

I was quoting "THE ISAF OFFSHORE SPECIAL REGULATIONS for 2012 – 2013"

3.14.6.

a) Lifelines shall be of :
- stranded stainless steel wire or
- Single-braided High Modulus Polyethylene (HMPE) (Dyneema®/Spectra® or equivalent) rope

e)
When HMPE (Dyneema®/Spectra®) is used, it shall be spliced in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommended procedures.

I have not seen the 2014-2016 version.

 

[malcp]

What about UV degradation of HMPE etc? Wouldn't the replacement interval need to be shorter?

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

What about UV degradation of HMPE etc? Wouldn't the replacement interval need to be shorter?

Possibly worse is chafe (1) where it passes through the stanchions and (2) by the genoa sheets if they continually rub against the lines. Both of these depend on the design of the boat and may usually be avoided without too much ingenuity.

I sometimes think that UV degradation is over-hyped (rather like osmosois). I live in the central Mediterranean and the only stuff that I can see deteriorating - quite rapidly - as a result of exposure to UV is polypropylene, which IMO has no place on a boat. Lines from other materials will have been changed due to wear & tear long before they have degraded enough to render them unusable. Just my personal opinion and is not meant as advice.