Sleeving for shrouds

Back to the OP, I've just replaced my shroud covers, to eliminate the rotation/grip problem I cut them down so that they only cover the area of sheet rub, leaving bare shroud at a level handy to grip.

Got mine from the local chandlers.
 
sarabande said:
if it set up to rotate freely, then I can verify it is disconcerting to hold. A 'safe' hold enables the wrist and forearm muscles to provide restorative leverage; you can't do that on a freely rotating tube.

I think the aim of shroud covers is to allow sails to slide past the shroud, rather than the covers to rotate.
Click to expand...

"restorative leverage". What a brilliant short description of a complex concept. I will store that away for future use. Thanks
 
Tried to buy some in Brixham a few years ago from a fishing tackle shop that had just extended its range into chandlery. I asked for shroud covers. The two ladies in the shop looked puzzled and asked me what they were for.
I explained that they were to cover the shrouds on a sailing boat.
They looked completely mystified if not somewhat concerned/alarmed.
As we explored the issue in more detail I discovered that they also that they also owned the business next door - an undertakers!
 
I got rid of my shroud rollers (the split white plastic tubing type) after I slipped climbing out of the dinghy whilst gripping them and the things just collapsed under my weight and I slid down the shrouds into the sea.

I decided the occasional inconvenience of the headsail-sheet bowlines snagging the shrouds was preferable to drowning. :rolleyes:
 
nigelmercier said:
So safe to grip, but surely the whole point is that they rotate?
Click to expand...

I don't have the need for these myself but have been following the thread. Yes I agree, surely the whole point is that they rotate to minimise chafe. Sheets and sails rubbing on plastic will be no more protected than rubbing on ss wire,probably less so :ambivalence:
 
foeu said:
I don't have the need for these myself but have been following the thread. Yes I agree, surely the whole point is that they rotate to minimise chafe. Sheets and sails rubbing on plastic will be no more protected than rubbing on ss wire,probably less so :ambivalence:
Click to expand...

Except, of course, plastic has a smooth surface and wire rigging doesn't.........
 
LadyInBed said:
I used to have plastic covers but took them off, not because of wire degradation but because of the dirt that collected in the lay of the wire under them.
I've also removed the covers from the guard wires.
Click to expand...

Same experience on both boats I have had: the wire collected dirt, which eventually ran off to form black streaks on the deck.
On the related topic of plastic-covered guardwires, I think racing boats are no longer allowed to have them due to the danger of hidden degradation
 
I think Hamish has disappeared.

However, Force 4 do the clip on jobs and the plastic sleeve; Yahoo for - Speedroller Force 4.

I have just banished a number of my Speedrollers (used to have 3 each side) because they tend to rattle in strong wind at anchor.
 
nigelmercier said:
So safe to grip, but surely the whole point is that they rotate?
Click to expand...

They seemed like a good idea. No downsides apparent in all the years they been fitted. They may have reduced chafe .... There is no sign if chafe but maybe there would not have been without them. Cannot draw any conclusions without a "control" !

I have come across situations where I would definitely have fitted the rotating type though. cap shrouds and baby stay on the Berwick I crewed cried out for them.
 
Ah, plastic covered stainless wires. The worst...

Stainless steel, deprived of oxygen, will rust. It relies on it's chromium content to passively form a covering of chromium oxide (hence needing the oxygen) to prevent the iron oxide we're familiar with.

To prevent rusting of s/s, it is best polished to a mirror finish or it will acquire rust streaks on the fitting, the tell-tale of crevice corrosion. Yes, even on brushed s/s fittings.

So, applying the above, the s/s wire that is available for guardrail use was banned from racing boats due to the crevice corrosion that was possible when water got in and rusted the wire. If it happens you may see it as a 'lump' forming under the plastic. This also happens on non-racing boats (like my old Pegasus 700 with guardrails that snapped with a simple tug) and can be cured by the purchase/fitment of nice shiny s/s guardrails.

I'm not a fan of anything over my boat's shrouds/stays but if you insist in doing such despicable things, make sure that it doesn't hold any water against the wire.

Does it all make sense now?
 
andyo said:
How about plastic cable wrap, certainly for the inner stay.

e.g
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/White-Spiral-Binding-Cable-Wrap-PC-TV-AV-Wire-Tidy-Lead-Management-Office-/231330213693?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&var=&hash=item35dc5aef3d
Click to expand...

I tried it.
It was OK on the dinghy where it only occasionally saw the light of day but other wise it ( or at least the bog standard stuff I used) does not stand up to everyday exposure to UV light.

You can always renew it annually as a matter of routine of course or maybe there is some UV resistant type available.

Personally having found no downside whatsoever with the spilt shroud covers in over 25, maybe 30, years I will stick with those.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top