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20-02-2016, 08:28
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#1
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 4,033
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para-cord
I just been fiddling with para-cord.
It's impressive stuff. Easy to work with, high quality (if you get the 'real' stuff), quite strong for most 'typical' applications, holds knots really well and can be spliced and inexpensive (about half or less of 'yachting' cord). Seems like it should get more visibility and use on boats (for lashings and such) than it does.
Here's a +1000lb test soft shackle:
Here's a quite nice end to end splice:
And you can do quite nice decorative work:
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20-02-2016, 09:00
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Left coast.
Posts: 1,451
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Re: para-cord
Interesting. What kind is the "real" stuff? Does it have a core, or is it hollow?
Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum
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20-02-2016, 09:12
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#3
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 4,033
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Re: para-cord
It has 7 internal near parallel strands
I was surprised it was so easy to make soft shackles, because usually that is done with hollow core, but I guess the parallel internal strands make it easy to pierce.
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20-02-2016, 12:04
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#4
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Port Moresby,Papua New Guinea
Boat: FP Belize Maestro 43 and OPBs
Posts: 12,888
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Re: para-cord
Quote:
Originally Posted by estarzinger
It has 7 internal near parallel strands
Attachment 119318
I was surprised it was so easy to make soft shackles, because usually that is done with hollow core, but I guess the parallel internal strands make it easy to pierce.
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I used it a lot back in my military days, but not for more years that I care to think. I've never spliced it or made soft shackles with it.
How about some guidelines/instructionals for soft shackles and splicing? . Pretty please?
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20-02-2016, 12:12
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Left coast.
Posts: 1,451
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Re: para-cord
Thanks Evans!
Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum
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20-02-2016, 14:22
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Long Beach, CA
Boat: Tayana Vancouver 42
Posts: 2,804
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Re: para-cord
How does it stand up to UV and chafe?
S/V B'Shert
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20-02-2016, 22:09
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#7
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: May 2012
Location: New Orleans
Boat: We have a problem... A serious addiction issue.
Posts: 3,974
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Re: para-cord
There are six or seven military specs, that roughly equate to the number of internal kerns, ranging from 1 to 11.
The major issue with the stuff in marine use is that it is relatively weak (~550lbs) for class III (7 kerns) and has a minimum stretch of 30% at MBL.
The upsides is that it is solid nylon construction, and typically made from a reasonable quality of nylon, so it will have all the characteristics of the material. Reasonable uv resistance, reasonable chaff resistance. Etc.
__________________
Greg
- If animals weren't meant to be eaten then they wouldn't be made of food.
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21-02-2016, 06:38
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Halifax Nova Scotia, Canada
Posts: 342
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Re: para-cord
and where would one find this para cord?
__________________
"When i grow up I want to be a sailor, my wife tells me i can't do both"
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21-02-2016, 07:01
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Left coast.
Posts: 1,451
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Re: para-cord
Uh.....Amazon?
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21-02-2016, 07:13
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Lancaster Co., PA/North East, MD
Boat: Watkins 27
Posts: 259
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Re: para-cord
A length of para cord should on the list right after duct tape. Don't all "prepared" persons have a few hanks stowed about?
Don't leave the dock (home) without it!
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21-02-2016, 08:22
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#11
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 4,033
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Re: para-cord
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stumble
The major issue with the stuff in marine use is that it is relatively weak (~550lbs) for class III (7 kerns)
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It is essentially the same strength (actually a bit stronger) as any other good quality 3mm (1/8") cord (nylon or dacron), and a whole lot less expensive than most 'marine' cord. Just for example, I am looking at Excel Pro, which is 440lbs test (in 3mm), and NER's 3mm Finish line, which is 500lbs test. So the paracord is 10-20% stronger than these similar sized marine cords.
So, I would say that relatively weak is not accurate.
It is of course not the ultimate in strength - go for dyneema (or one of the other high tech fibers) cord for that, but at 10x the price, and often not needed.
That para-cord soft shackle is 12100 lb test.
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21-02-2016, 12:59
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#12
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Port Moresby,Papua New Guinea
Boat: FP Belize Maestro 43 and OPBs
Posts: 12,888
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Re: para-cord
> That para-cord soft shackle is 12100 lb test.
Have you perchance added a digit somewhere there?
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21-02-2016, 17:36
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#13
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: May 2012
Location: New Orleans
Boat: We have a problem... A serious addiction issue.
Posts: 3,974
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Re: para-cord
Quote:
Originally Posted by estarzinger
It is essentially the same strength (actually a bit stronger) as any other good quality 3mm (1/8") cord (nylon or dacron), and a whole lot less expensive than most 'marine' cord. Just for example, I am looking at Excel Pro, which is 440lbs test (in 3mm), and NER's 3mm Finish line, which is 500lbs test. So the paracord is 10-20% stronger than these similar sized marine cords.
So, I would say that relatively weak is not accurate.
It is of course not the ultimate in strength - go for dyneema (or one of the other high tech fibers) cord for that, but at 10x the price, and often not needed.
That para-cord soft shackle is 12100 lb test.
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Mil spec para-cord is actually not 3mm. The Mil-Spec doesn't actually have a size requirement, but it is almost always 4mm.
This may or may not be an issue in an application, but there is a reason the stuff is so cheap, besides it is sold by the ton. It's great for small junk lines to tie things off, but it isn't very good line compared to marine cordage.
__________________
Greg
- If animals weren't meant to be eaten then they wouldn't be made of food.
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21-02-2016, 18:18
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#14
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Between Caribbean and Canada
Boat: Murray 33-Chouette & Pape Steelmaid-44-Safara-both steel cutters
Posts: 8,508
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Re: para-cord
You might find this interesting as well.
Synthetic Textiles Inc
Sold through Ham Radio Outlet.
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21-02-2016, 19:23
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Auckland, NZ
Boat: Bristol Channel Cutter
Posts: 126
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Re: para-cord
I haven't read all the posts, but I feel I need to chime in. I've spent quite a bit of time playing with para-cord and I've also spent quite a bit of time playing with rock climbing gear.
So you have to be very careful with para-cord as 550 lbs breaking strain is not much at all, shock loading you will only be able to handle 55 lbs and a 10 times increase is very likely. This is more true in climbing (because of gravity), I certainly would not trust para-cord anywhere critical. If your life depends on it, don't use it! I've seen a certain celebrity survivalist rappel on 550 para-cord, which is beyond stupid! One slip of your foot (it's very easy to do) and you'll shock load the para-cord and it WILL snap. Don't get me started on how easy it is to cut even climbing ropes under load, para-cord will have no chance if anything sharp touches it.
Now I realise my credibility might not be all that great since I chose to learn how to sail without an engine. But para-cord is a step to far for me on critical systems. The ONLY place I use para-cord on Taleisin is across the top of the bow roller to keep the mooring line from jumping out. It's been out in the sun for 4 months now and it's still fine - It's better than the shoe lace that was suggested. Oh another thing all our tramping boots and shoes have para-cord instead of laces as this stuff is incredibly useful in a survival situation.
I doubt it would be strong enough to handle the forced generated by the wind and the water, I've had to learn a healthy respect for these very quickly (see engineless sailing teaches you stuff).
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