Ropes & Novices :

[sloshed]

Our recently acquired boat looks like needing new ropes, and is one short currently. The boat is 21ft and 800 Kilos plus a Honda 40bhp engine and is based on the Broads, in an area affected by gentle tides..

My question is this : Is there a guide as to the length of a rope ( i.e. a multiple or division of the boat length ) ? Also, any advice on type or best place to buy would be greatly appreciated.

I had a quick look in Norfolk Marine provided a very confusing and broad range of ropes and prices.

I Also noticed that the ropes currently on board appear to have a short thicker section which is able to 'stretch' this looks like a good idea but I'm guessing is very expensive.

Many thanks.

<hr width=100% size=1>Champagne aspirations - Beer money.

www.SL-Mercedes.Com

 

[tcm]

yes there is a guide somewhere, doubtless someone will post a link. I would guess 10mm lines would be fine.

important is
1. to make sure you use lines set nice and long with plenty of room to stretch
2. You use nylon ordinary mooring lines for mooring - not braided which are nicer to handle but are also designed not to stretch (eg holding a ssail up) so anyone using them will have a creaky boat and or risk their cleats.
3. You can add stretchiness by coiling mooring lines around a rubber thingy, or an old fender.


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[AndrewB]

The 'old salt' theory was you need to carry 4 warps each 3-4 times the LOA of the yacht, this being needed for tying correctly to a harbour wall with full tide. It's also helpful to have ones this long if you are ever caught in a deep raft-out in a fast flowing stream and need to lay out shore lines.

The absolute minimum for a boat that is mainly kept in marinas, moorings and mud berths is a couple of warps about 1½ times the boat length and a couple about half this length. 8mm adequate, 10mm for preference, but one 14mm if you use a mooring.

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[ships_parrot]

If you're looking for mooring warps with stretch, then they needn't be too expensive - try your local army surplus for old climbing ropes. They are designed to stretch, and have to be disposed of for climbing purposes after so long whether they need it or not. You'll probably have to sign a form saying you won't use them for climbing.
These ropes don't usually come in anything less than 50m so you can tie your boat up with only one length (looks like spaghetti though!) and then actually cut it when you work out what lengths you need.

Hope this helps..

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[dickh]

Try http://www.ebay.co.uk or a local boat jumble - I think there is one in Norwich coming up soon. There are usually two or three rope vendors at boat jumbles. Norfolk Marine is not the cheapest place to get ropes!

<hr width=100% size=1>dickh
I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[whisper]

I found that special offers from Pumpkin Marine and Aladdins Cave were much cheaper than Jimmy Green recently. Think it depends on whether the offers are for sizes and lengths that you actually require.
Re. the advantage of stretchiness I think that some braid on braid (nylon core polyester outer) do provide this whilst also being nicer to handle. Tend to be rather more expensive though.

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by whisper on 10/03/2004 15:51 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[poter]

Agree that jim green is a good bet for ropes etc.
But do call them, as they normaly have cut length's at knock down prices.
They also have loads of info on the web site.

poter.


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[sloshed]

Thank you all for you replies.

The Jimmy Green site is indeed informative and has a good range. I shall also check the other sources suggested. At least I now know what I am looking for.

Very grateful for all your help.

Michael.

<hr width=100% size=1>Champagne aspirations - Beer money.

www.SL-Mercedes.Com

 

[Bejasus]

Hmmmm, Michael Hunt. I'm sure you've heard them all before.
Welcome. I have a 25 ft cruiser on the Broads, and I carry 4 x 12mm x 10mtr warps for mooring, plus another 12mm x 10mtr on the mud weight. I also have 2 x 12mm x 15mtr for springs with rubber snubbers. 3 x cylindrical fenders + 2 ball fenders. The ball fenders are necessary when you moor at a point with an overhanging top edge, as they easily roll over it when the tide rises. The springs are for when mooring up at places like Reedham/Berney Arms etc where the tide can easily run at 7 knots. Keps everything in place.
We vare currently moored at Beccles and will keep a look out for you during the season.

George

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[sloshed]

There's something funny about my name ???

Kidding, yes I've heard them all before - at least I think/hope I have. How naive were my parents ?

Thanks for the reply, that's a lot of rope. I had forgotten about the mud weight, the Broads are no fun without one - another trip to Norfolk Marine at the weekend. The springs with rubber snubbers sound interesting - easily available ?

I'll keep any eye out for the Mayfly !

Thanks.

<hr width=100% size=1>Champagne aspirations - Beer money.

www.SL-Mercedes.Com<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by sloshed on 11/03/2004 15:59 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Bejasus]

Got mine from Jeckells in Oulton Broad, but I think Norfolk Marine should have them also.
Always carry enough rope for a good lynching. I may run in to a Labour delegation./forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

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