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16-11-2010, 07:59
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#1
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Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Denmark (Winter), Helsinki (Summer); Cruising the Baltic Sea this year!
Boat: Cutter-Rigged Moody 54
Posts: 33,764
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Optimum Dinghy Painter
I've got replace the painter on my dink as the result of a night dinghy cruise where the painter got into the prop (don't ask).
What does anybody think about the optimal type of rope for this? Regular braided polyester like a sheet?
Nylon octoplait?
What do you guys use?
My dink is an 11" Avon RIB with 25 horsepower. I was thinking about 10mm nylon octoplait for stretch. On the other hand, chafe . . .
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16-11-2010, 08:23
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Brooklin, Maine U.S.A
Boat: Allures 44
Posts: 734
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We only use polypro, because it floats! The standard 3-strand degrades quickly in sunlight. We have a towing bridle made from New England Rope's dual braid - polypro core with a nylon cover. It's 7/16", strong, and it floats.
However, we don't tow very often, so usually we just use a lightweight painter made of Regatta-lite, a 12-plait polypro.
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16-11-2010, 08:32
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#3
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Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Denmark (Winter), Helsinki (Summer); Cruising the Baltic Sea this year!
Boat: Cutter-Rigged Moody 54
Posts: 33,764
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cfarrar
We only use polypro, because it floats! The standard 3-strand degrades quickly in sunlight. We have a towing bridle made from New England Rope's dual braid - polypro core with a nylon cover. It's 7/16", strong, and it floats.
However, we don't tow very often, so usually we just use a lightweight painter made of Regatta-lite, a 12-plait polypro.
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Thanks. I looked at polypropelyne, but since I never tow my dinghy, I didn't think it was a good trade off to get floating in exchange for UV degradation.
Nylon = good for stretch but bad for chafe
Polyster braid on braid = no stretch but better chafe resistance
That's what I'm looking at so far. Unless someone has some other argument for polypropylene
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16-11-2010, 08:45
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: abbeville la
Boat: seawind II Patience
Posts: 541
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I very ! rarely tow but use polyprope ,never know when might have to move & floating line helps.marc
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16-11-2010, 08:46
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Napa CA USA
Boat: Piver Victress
Posts: 87
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Use floating line ... that means it doesn't get among your prop ... but you have already learnt that lesson ...
I tow an 8ft grp dinghy and have learnt several lessons the hard way ...
1. Use floating line
2. Tow the dinghy with 2 lines ... regardless of whether or not you rig a bridle ... use 2 towing lines
3. Use L O N G towing lines when sailing or motoring downwind or when there is a following sea ... long towing lines keep the dinghy in the next trough behind meaning the dinghy doesn't surf downwave & ram your transome
4. Do not leave gear in or attached to the dinghy whilst under tow ... outboard, bailer, oarlocks & fuel container have all mysteriously vanished at one point or another
5. Beware dinghy filling up with water when it rains
6. Employ effective anti-chafe measures for both towing lines & check frequently for signs of chafe
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16-11-2010, 09:11
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Brooklin, Maine U.S.A
Boat: Allures 44
Posts: 734
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Quote:
I didn't think it was a good trade off to get floating in exchange for UV degradation.
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The NE Ropes' dinghy tow line has a nylon cover, so the polypro isn't exposed to UV. The other polypro ropes are cheap, so you can afford to replace them.
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16-11-2010, 09:15
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#7
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Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Denmark (Winter), Helsinki (Summer); Cruising the Baltic Sea this year!
Boat: Cutter-Rigged Moody 54
Posts: 33,764
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Quote:
Originally Posted by svtadpole
Use floating line ... that means it doesn't get among your prop ... but you have already learnt that lesson ...
I tow an 8ft grp dinghy and have learnt several lessons the hard way ...
1. Use floating line
2. Tow the dinghy with 2 lines ... regardless of whether or not you rig a bridle ... use 2 towing lines
3. Use L O N G towing lines when sailing or motoring downwind or when there is a following sea ... long towing lines keep the dinghy in the next trough behind meaning the dinghy doesn't surf downwave & ram your transome
4. Do not leave gear in or attached to the dinghy whilst under tow ... outboard, bailer, oarlocks & fuel container have all mysteriously vanished at one point or another
5. Beware dinghy filling up with water when it rains
6. Employ effective anti-chafe measures for both towing lines & check frequently for signs of chafe
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I don't, however, tow at all. I have electric davits. I just need a painter.
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16-11-2010, 13:01
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Vashon, WA
Boat: Haida 26', 18' Sea Kayak, 15' kayak, 6.5' skiff, shorts
Posts: 837
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Nylon 3 strand, dirt cheap, takes splices nicely.
Are you seriously that worried about chafe? You can always replace it when one strand finally gives.
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16-11-2010, 13:19
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#9
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Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Denmark (Winter), Helsinki (Summer); Cruising the Baltic Sea this year!
Boat: Cutter-Rigged Moody 54
Posts: 33,764
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tager
Nylon 3 strand, dirt cheap, takes splices nicely.
Are you seriously that worried about chafe? You can always replace it when one strand finally gives.
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Probably not. I would be more worried about UV since I leave the painter tied to one davit. Thanks for that; I just ordered some nylon. But octoplait which is nicer to handle than 3 strand.
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16-11-2010, 13:21
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Vashon, WA
Boat: Haida 26', 18' Sea Kayak, 15' kayak, 6.5' skiff, shorts
Posts: 837
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Octoplait splicing is a bit more involved, but looks nice.
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16-11-2010, 13:22
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Vashon, WA
Boat: Haida 26', 18' Sea Kayak, 15' kayak, 6.5' skiff, shorts
Posts: 837
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16-11-2010, 13:42
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Seattle
Boat: Schock 35
Posts: 157
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This is what we use both for towing and for stern tieing.
Fisheries - Product Detail
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16-11-2010, 13:50
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#13
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Eternal Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Boat: Vancouver 36 cutter????
Posts: 620
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I use 5/8" poly for my dinghy painter as well. It's not as strong as 3-strand, nor does it seem to handle UV as well, but it floats. I'd never consider towing with it as I don't think it has the durability. And I change my painter yearly, using the replaced one as a spare or for other purposes.
__________________
Capt. Douglas Abbott
USCG/MCA IV/M.I./C.I. 500-ton Oceans
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