Polyester "trad" rope?

[Seagreen]

Polyester \"trad\" rope?

Ok I know there was a post on this a few months ago, but I can't find it, so;

Needing to replace various 8, 10 and perhaps 12mm rope, so which "traditional" looking 3 strand polyester rope does the best job? I'm looking for halyards and lazyjacks, so I don't want too much stretch, but at the same time, they must be very UV stable and cope with long exposure to sunlight.

Hardy Hemp? Roblon? What has stood the test of time? It must be reasonably easy to work yet no horribly expensive.

 

[Porthandbuoy]

Re: Polyester \"trad\" rope?

'Twas I who kicked it off just over a week ago. The consensus seemed to be avoid polypropylene an go for polyester
Hemp Lookalike

 

[Roach1948]

Re: Polyester \"trad\" rope?

In my experience fake hemp (from English braids) and tends to go grey anyway. In future I will buy plain white and let it go dirty and save myself a few bob.

 

[Seagreen]

Re: Polyester \"trad\" rope?

Ah, you sure did. I've been sniffing too much varnish recently, so I blame the Turpentine!

I was already well aware of Hardyhemp, but I was looking for alternatives, such as they are. Not sure if the Spunflex and other polyprop ropes were better, but then again, hardyhemp will do fine.

 

[mclark]

Re: Polyester \"trad\" rope?

The polypropylene version (cant remember the brand name) was used when White Heather was re-rigged - it drove me demented! very stretchy, couldnt keep the lug peaked up but the worst thing was the way you simply cant stop it from twisting, causing huge amounts of friction in the forelug and mizzen lug halyards. I tried towing the stuff to take the viceousness out of it but to no avail. I am sure that 3 strand polyester would not have been so orrible.

As someone else has suggested I would buy polyester and get it dirty, better, cheaper and longer lasting.

Mike

 

[Seagreen]

Re: Polyester \"trad\" rope?

This what I hear about Spunflex. Luckily, I think I have old hardyhemp (the polyester) which is fine. I only have possibly Polyprop on my jibhalyards, which may cause the awful twisting effect. Either that or the WM gear needs a good greasing! The condition of most of the rope is fine, but I think I may need heavier topping lifts. I'm sure I've only a pair of 8mm lifts, and I worry that one by itself won't cope with the weight of the boom. I may also want to use the boom as a derrick to hoist the dinghy inboard (well that's one idea).

BTW, Mike, I won't be making Peel again this year. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Victorious]

Re: Polyester \"trad\" rope?

If you want to look traditional, Hardy hemp seems to be the best of a poor bunch of options.
I use mostly polyester 3 strand.. some multibraid.... and enjoy my sailing instead.
/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[rob2]

Re: Polyester \"trad\" rope?

Not my area of expertise (not that classic). Just thought I'd mention that Jimmy Green offers 3 strand polyester "hemp lookalike" on-line.