Trago Mills, Falmouth, UK.Warning.

cowpat

cowpat

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In writing this I am hoping to prevent another accident caused by rope failure. Exactly 12 months ago I replaced my s/s wire guard rails through the stantions. The ends of these were secured traditionally from wire eye to shackle with a lanyard. It is this line to which I am refering. The line is a white braded material of about 3-4mm dia which I asumrd is polypropoline and rove to about 4-6 times. I lowered myself (12st)into the dinghy last night and all of the lanyard lacings simply snapped. OK, I only fell into the dinghy but this could at another time have been fatal and I feel that an appropriate warning to others is needed. I understand the properties of different materials used for ropes and have used good polypropeline rope for years,Infact I have one length which is 40-odd years old and is now because of age only used to hoist the inflatable into the shed rooofspace. I shall get the plastic card and remains of the hank off the boat and photograph it for attachment as a warning. Chris.
 
Trago Mills

The line you bought was probably polypropylene which has very poor resistance to UV and, as you found, can decay within a few months. What you need is polyester line - if it isn't labelled as such don't buy it. One property that polyprop line has that is useful is it floats - so thicker stuff is used for MOB recovery lines but must be protected from UV until use.

I have got a few bargins from Trago Mills 'marine' dept in the past but they have always been branded goods at discounted prices (Proline s/s fittings, International paints). But I agree some of the stuff they stock is not marine. Buyer beware as always.
 
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I guess we're all glad you got away with just a bruising - and a hard-learned lesson to share with the rest of us.

We're all in the habit of making off lifelines in the way you suggest, and this is a timely 'heads-up' to renew those 'unnoticed' short lengths of cord every year. Perhaps even more urgent are the similar lengths of exposed cord some use to secure the ends of their webbing jackstays to deckeyes.

Just as the webbing itself is exposed to UV radiation - which degrades its strength at unknown, 'guessed-at' rates - so also is the cord at the end.

'Accident waiting to happen'...?

:cool:
 
I really dont see how you can blame Trago Mills.

You bought some cheap line, You dont know what it was. You assumed it was polypropylene, which is in any case susceptible to UV damage and you used it for a critical application.

The title of your post should read "Cowpat, Falmouth, UK. Warning"
 
VicS said:
I really dont see how you can blame Trago Mills.

You bought some cheap line, You dont know what it was. You assumed it was polypropylene, which is in any case susceptible to UV damage and you used it for a critical application.

The title of your post should read "Cowpat, Falmouth, UK. Warning"
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+1
 
Now if it was from a Chandlers :eek: Then you would have a valid gripe but :eek: its not.

Replace with some decent 4mm Marlow. Spec sheet says it retains 50% of its strength after 3 years.

..
 
VicS said:
I really dont see how you can blame Trago Mills.

You bought some cheap line, You dont know what it was. You assumed it was polypropylene, which is in any case susceptible to UV damage and you used it for a critical application.

The title of your post should read "Cowpat, Falmouth, UK. Warning"[/QUOTE

Thanks VicS,that is a very sensable and valid point of view. I wish id'e thought of that in the first place. Chris.
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I think I should stick up for Trago, if you are careful about what you buy you can get some good bargins. If you need some cheap tat string then they are ideal, if you need paint they do sell branded stuff like International, but they also sell really terrible stuff I wouldn't ever buy. I bought my Criuser Uno there a couple of years ago and saved a fortune.

Trago Falmouth also saved me when my batteries (an engine) died when I was on the fuelling jetty at peak season.:(
 
Seems happy enough with "excrement" but i came across one site that would not accept "specialist"
 
A DIY site I visited seeking advice about a concrete base for a shed advised me to use "a 100mm layer of *CENSORED*". Took me a few moments to realise it was "hardcore".
(In fact I used type-1 bottoming, but there is probably a filter somewhere that objects to that as well.)
 
I only use polyprop on my anchor marker float.
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non floating rope is better. Less likely to get picked up by someones prop, rudder etc

I certainly wouldn't use it for any safety application!
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Because it floats its the rope of choice for lifebuoys, safety lines etc!
 
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