Squeaking three strand mooring warps - Wash?

[Babylon]

My three-strand warps squeak when moored (about ten years old, 16mm diameter, in good condition, polyester). Have squeaked for ages at the fairleads when under rhythmic tension, and I simply don't notice it above the usual lapping and whistling sounds etc. But was rafted on someone the other day and he asked if I could swap them - I had some old rope aboard and did so, which didn't squeak.

Is this not normal for three-strand, or should I wash them?

They're not dirty as such, but no doubt they've acquired an additional viscosity of airborne Southampton gunk as well as salt.

 

[Minchsailor]

I wash the warps I use most frequently every year. Can't do any harm, they are usually only polyester (Terelyne).

 

[sarabande]

Pour some fresh water over them, but add a few drops of washing up liquid. Squeak killer.

 

[BabaYaga]

Are you sure the noise comes from within the rope itself as tensioned/untensioned? In my experience it is more often from rubbing against something, perhaps the fairleads in you case.
Might be worth trying to sleeve the rope with something slippery where it makes contact…

 

[PTB]

Weve had the same issue with our marina mooring warps ... 3 strand polyester. I can make the ropes squeak by just twisting them by hand and this noise is amplified by the attachment to the boat when under load. I had to take the load off them with a separate, newer, snubber warp when sleeping in our marina berth. When not on board of course it didnt matter in our case. In the end though, we just replaced them as it was driving us mad. I think soap and water works for a while but I suspect it may be the fibres getting stretched and uv degraded. New warps seem to last us about 4 seasons before squeaking again. Ear plugs also work and are cheaper !

 

[Graham376]

3 strand squeaks annoyingly through our fairleads so I added a tail of braided non-stretch which cured the problem.

 

[johnalison]

You can ameliorate the squeaking a little by washing etc, but in the end they will need replacing. I noticed that ours squeaked the other day, but being our permanent dock lines aren't very long and won't break the bank

 

[Wandering Star]

If my boat causes noise to my neighbours whether it’s the generator running full blast, the 50” telly at full volume (kids eh?), a halyard clattering against the mast or a shoreline squeaking - I just turn my hearing aids off, works every time.

 

[Daydream believer]

I never put my mooring lines through my fairleads. Apart from the wear there is the noise. I loop mine on the cleat & pass it straight over the side to the pontoon. If necessary I put a bundled rag under the part where it crosses the edge, which is smooth & never gets damaged.

 

[Neeves]

Thinwater is the expert on this. Send him a PM or a link to the thread.

Alternatively look at climbing rope - they sell a lubricant that will stop squeaking. Its a common problem and is not a sign of old age nor near retirement.

Jonathan

 

[Babylon]

Thanks people.

Got the four blue warps and two longer white springs home - boat tied up with the old ones for a week or two. Will give them a good soak and wash here, then use them as normal on the boat.

All in good condition otherwise, and - like I say - I don't personally notice or mind the squeaking.