Spinlock lifeline!

[Zagato]

I bought an elasticated lifeline today but having read the bumf that comes with it I may take it back. It says it can be effective for up to 5 years but may need replacing after it's first use. It's all down to how it is used but doesn't give much information other than that I left the info on the boat but it sounds as though the elasticated part can be damaged once it has had one hard instance of use and that is becomes useless anyway after 5 years since manufacture. I'll see if I can find the info on the net. It does have a built in over strectch indicator but that doesn't apply to over use, not looking after it, salt water damages it apparently I may return it for an ordinary line...

 

[prv]

The ordinary line will probably have the same limits, officially. I think it's something to do with the safety equipment standard that they are built to.

Pete

 

[sailorman]

Read,1st use. Over the side

I bought an elasticated lifeline today but having read the bumf that comes with it I may take it back. It says it can be effective for up to 5 years but may need replacing after it's first use. It's all down to how it is used but doesn't give much information other than that I left the info on the boat but it sounds as though the elasticated part can be damaged once it has had one hard instance of use and that is becomes useless anyway after 5 years since manufacture. I'll see if I can find the info on the net. It does have a built in over strectch indicator but that doesn't apply to over use, not looking after it, salt water damages it apparently I may return it for an ordinary line...

 

[bbg]

I would be astounded if it is designed and manufactured to a lower standard than any other. But they might be the only ones that tell you about proper use, maintenance, expected life and events that might reduce the items capacity.

I suspect your choices are
1. keep it
2. take it back and replace it with one from another manufacturer that is probably functionally identical (or possibly inferior), but which doesn't come with a fancy user manual to tell you what the limitations of the device are

 

[Seajet]

I would be astounded if it is designed and manufactured to a lower standard than any other. But they might be the only ones that tell you about proper use, maintenance, expected life and events that might reduce the items capacity.

I suspect your choices are
1. keep it
2. take it back and replace it with one from another manufacturer that is probably functionally identical (or possibly inferior), but which doesn't come with a fancy user manual to tell you what the limitations of the device are

+1, and Spinlock are not exactly known for shoddy goods !

Some aircraft parachute harnesses have a built in series of stitching designed to fail gradually under the shock load and avoid breaking one in half, so one wouldn't want to use that again, I think the big enemies facing your Spinlock job are U/V sunlight and salt crystals, a good fresh water bath in the winter or even mid season helps my harness lines, lifejackets, running rigging, - and wallet !

P.S, as far as failed harness lines, never had any complaints but I am a bit deaf and seem to sail singlehanded more nowadays.

Andy

 

[TimBennet]

The standards quoted by Spinlock are the same for every bit of fabric PPE equipment manufactured to CE standards. If it's been 'used' (ie put under significant load) then it should be discarded and its working 'life' in the non loaded situation is 5 years, even if kept in a dark, cool cupboard.

However, the life span of five years is highly debatable and is a best guess because the factors that control the life of webbing are so varied. The killers are exposure to sunlight and acids, including urine. Avoid these and the realistic life span becomes very great indeed. I have tested 50 year old nylon that shows no degradation in its properties. But leave your nylon jack lines permanently on the deck and five years is pushing it.

Various attempts have ben made to put indicators on the products which will show both high loads (by use of breakaway stitching) and UV and chemical exposure, but the latter ones in particular have not been reliable enough to replace the fixed life spans quoted.

Of course as a recreational user of such equipment you can keep it as long as you like, but commercial users must comply with all relevant PPE legislation.

 

[Seajet]

The killers are exposure to sunlight and acids, including urine.

Blimey ! I thought I was a reasonably free-minded guy ( unless Angus Macdoom is in front of my swivel gun ) but this seems a bit of disrespectful behaviour by the crew, ' Smithers, release the hounds ! '

 

[bbg]

Blimey ! I thought I was a reasonably free-minded guy ( unless Angus Macdoom is in front of my swivel gun ) but this seems a bit of disrespectful behaviour by the crew, ' Smithers, release the hounds ! '

Safest / easiest place to pee is straight into the cockpit, including from the security of the companionway.

 

[Zagato]

Thanks folks, that's two things I don't have to take back

 

[oldbilbo]

Safest / easiest place to pee is straight into the cockpit, including from the security of the companionway.

Aha! Another experienced, pragmatic and single-handed yottie.... but not a girlie, one suspects.

 

[sailorman]

Aha! Another experienced, pragmatic and single-handed yottie.... but not a girlie, one suspects.

http://www.shewee.com/

 

[prv]

The killers are exposure to sunlight and acids, including urine.

Blimey ! I thought I was a reasonably free-minded guy ( unless Angus Macdoom is in front of my swivel gun ) but this seems a bit of disrespectful behaviour by the crew, ' Smithers, release the hounds ! '

I did decide it was rude to keep reminding him of it, so I will just say that "a forumite" has managed to pee on my chart table before now

Pete

 

[bbg]

Aha! Another experienced, pragmatic and single-handed yottie.... but not a girlie, one suspects.

After finishing the transat, this subject came up. Apparently, peeing in the cockpit is not limited to blokes, FYI. Although perhaps it is only the blokes who will do it from the companionway.

 

[rob2]

I used to sail with a skipper who insisted that in bad weather anything excreted from the body should be into the coclpit, if necessary - you can always hose that out, and don't have to drop the kite to go looking for the MOB! Mind you, he once forgot to point out to a new crew that one generally pees downwind...

Rob.