Trago Mills, Falmouth, UK.Warning.

[Alfie168]

This is now officially either a

1) "Be careful to use the correct materials for the job" thread.
or
2) "How to bamboozle a forum filter" thread.

Both are vitally important

Tim

 

[KAL]

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"

Absolutely right Vic.

Thanks for the warning, but come on, you can't blame Trago! You bought the stuff and it degraded. I've used their stuff for years with no problem. It's miles cheaper than most retailers and the staff, in general, really know their ropes (pardon the pun).

Like anything, surely it's up to us, as buyers, to make sure that what we're buying is fit for purpose, unless that is what it claims?

 

[Bilgediver]

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.

When buying budget line for the boat and the clothes line it is wise to examin the construction. There are two basic types of strand used. One the strands comprise many pieces of film IE like bits of micro cassette tape rolled up , this and wide. This type is probably what you received and the thin film degrades rapidly even if blue.

The other type is made of round filaments and this is more resistant to sunlight.

The cheep packing cord is usually the film type and the rigging usually the filament type.

The film type is softer on the hands

 

[longjohnsilver]

Absolutely right Vic.

Thanks for the warning, but come on, you can't blame Trago! You bought the stuff and it degraded. I've used their stuff for years with no problem. It's miles cheaper than most retailers and the staff, in general, really know their ropes (pardon the pun).

Like anything, surely it's up to us, as buyers, to make sure that what we're buying is fit for purpose, unless that is what it claims?

If you know what you want and they have it in stock, trago is generally but not always, much cheaper than anywhere else. And certainly their Newton Abbot store usually has a good marine section.

 

[Seajet]

There's a point being missed here.

In the 'old days' of RDF nav' aids, we had to lash guardwire ends, as an all - metal link could cause 'Quadrantal Error'.

We don't have that worry now; I went to all - metal a long time ago, using shackles - rigging screws are not required if one carefully chooses shackles ( which themselves should be inspected periodically.

Perhaps the main reason for using end lashings is so as to be able to cut & release the lines in a crisis such as MOB.

I have Gibb pelican hooks on all 4 lines at the pushpit, and they are a godsend for getting in and out of dinghies, and yes a real MOB - me !

Also, during a crisis they can be released, then unlike lashings ( try it in heavy weather at night or with injured crew etc ) can be instantly done up again, rather than leaving a boat which has already undergone problems with no guardwires !

These hooks are not cheap, which I think is the real - false - reason people still use lashings, I can't see any other reason for this misguided outdated practice.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

..... These hooks are not cheap, which I think is the real - false - reason people still use lashings, I can't see any other reason for this misguided outdated practice.

Hardly misguided and hardly outdated. It is no different from tape jack stays. They have to be maintained. Other advantages to lashings: low cost, easy to inspect, easy to adjust.

I use all metal on my safety lines (with pelican hooks) and lashing at the aft end only of my jack stays for the purpose of cutting free and maintaining a relative tension. I replace the lashing yearly and inspect a couple of times a season.

 

[Seajet]

Fair enough, but why have lashings which are susceptible to UV etc at all ?

I did a bit of experimenting with the 'odd spare shackles' box and the guardwires clip up perfectly tight, as the Gibb ( stainless ) pelican hooks have an 'over centre' tensioning effect.

I use these clips every time I get on & off the boat, they are one of the single most useful modifications I've ever done.

Before anyone asks, yes I do periodically check the shackles but that's rather easier than visually inspecting multiple little lines including their inner surfaces...

 

[G12]

Contrary to popular belief, Trago isn't that cheap any more - Or at least the chandlery section isn't. Recently I found the chandlery at Falmouth Marina (the guy operating out of the porta cabin in the car park) to be approx $10 cheaper on a large tin of Micron Extra antifouling and also cheaper on just about everything else I've had from there. It might be a small place but he seems to have it well stocked. Well worth a visit.

Excuse the dollar sign above, I'm using a poxy american machine that refuses to do Pound signs.

 

[pappaecho]

I fell overboard some years ago to an exact same problem with laced safety rails, whilst picking up a mooring. The white stringy stuff is not UV resistant. I learnt from this
1. Upper rail always with bottle screw not lanyard
2. Boarding ladder or steps if rear mounted rudder

 

[boatbuilder]

Why don't you write to Mr Robertson and complain, you never know you might get a refund.

 

[SimonJ]

Polypropolene

From your post you did/do seem to know you had used polyprop. Never to be used in exposed sun positions. You cannot blaim Trago for improper use by yourself! It is quite easy to find guidance for what you should use for what. (I would not use Trago chain on a boat either!)
Hope your guard rails are not the plastic covered type .......

 

[OLLIE45]

Damn, Damn, Damn.......

Every time we go down that part of the world, I get dragged round the soft furnishing and other 'womany' sections at Trago near Newton Abbot by the missus. I didn't realise that they had a chandlery section that I could go and wander round. When I think of all those 'wasted' hours of my life that I won't ever get back...........

 

[Sans Bateau]

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.

Just read this. I'm sorry you fell and I'm very glad you did not hurt yourself. But, if this product was not branded for marine use, then you only have yourself to blame. If it was branded for marine use and you can prove it, then go to trading standards. It sounds like it has suffered badly with UV degradation.

I suspect that the first of those scenarios is the case, and whilst it may sound unsympathetic, you really should not complain.

 

[lenseman]

As you have discovered, if you try and write "crap" the sweary-filter substitutes "****", hence "carp".

You could always say cràp!