Hard anchor line

[S/V Antares]

I have heard that you can soften braid mooring lines with fabric softener. Has anyone tried this with 3 strand Nylon? I have a 300 ft 3/4' rode that I would love to coil someday.

[David M]

I quit using three strand nylon for anchor rode for that same reason. I went to 8-strand plaited line which so far has not hardened at all.

[sluissa]

Originally Posted by S/V Antares

I have a 300 ft 3/4' rode that I would love to coil someday.

Ok, I know it's probably a typo, but I just have to make this joke...


You have 9 inch rode? What are you cruising on, an aircraft carrier?

[S/V Antares]

Well I guess I better put on the cheaters so I can see the keys! The Rode is 3/4 inch nylon 3 strand that looks like new. It was left behind at the boatyard next to the dumster and I thought I could use it as a spare. It is soaking in the tub and I wil let you know how it comes out.

[nodee]

I heard that your rode gets softer with age.

Hey Will and Muffin. How are ya?

Kirk and Donna
s/v Ainulindale

[sluissa]

More seriously though, I believe this topic was brought up before by our very own Mr. Sullivan. I don't remember exactly what was recommended. I'm having a hard time remembering what they said to do and what they said NOT to do... so, I don't wanna give bad advice... do a search though... might not be too hard to find...

[Fishspearit]

Put it in the washing machine for a go around. I use to soak them in fresh water in a bucket, but I just tried the washing machine on some lines with Woollite the other day, and it worked well.

David, what's the stretch like on the 8 strand? One of the reasons I always thought that 3 strand nylon was the best dock line and anchor line was it's high stretch shock absorbing characteristics.

[Sunspot Baby]

If the line is "hard" from non use and sea water, soaking it in fresh water and fabric softener will help.

I soaked my chain and it didn't soften up at all ;-)

George

[bstreep]

Lots of fresh water soaks, and a then a nice, warm fabric softener bath.

[S/V Antares]

Yup, Just took it out of the tub and it appears to have helped. Pulled it out to the road and turns out it is 350 Ft. A bit much for the washer. Took about an hour but managed to splice a thimble in the dead end. The old thimple is rusted a bit.

David, Given the price, (Free) I will keep it. If I were to buy a new Rode I would go for the 8 strand. Clearly the better concept. I have not used it, Can it be spliced easily?

[David M]

Originally Posted by S/V Antares

Yup, Just took it out of the tub and it appears to have helped. Pulled it out to the road and turns out it is 350 Ft. A bit much for the washer. Took about an hour but managed to splice a thimble in the dead end. The old thimple is rusted a bit.

David, Given the price, (Free) I will keep it. If I were to buy a new Rode I would go for the 8 strand. Clearly the better concept. I have not used it, Can it be spliced easily?

8-strand is more difficult to splice. The good news is that you only have to make one splice. I don't use it anywhere else on the boat for that reason. I just don't like anchor rode that is more difficult to manage than an angry anaconda.

[GMac]

DON'T DON'T DON'T let Nylon near heat sources. That will make them go harder.

Nylon hardens with age, the nature of the beast. Heat doesn't help and in fact manufacturers use heat to firm nylons up. If you hear the tern 'Heat Set' that is what they are talking about.

Cheap nylons go hard faster, some very fast. It all comes down the the years Thermal Stability. A common grade is T6 nylon, it is OK. Another real cheapy is Textured nylon, it is reject yarn from the clothing industry and is crap, just don't go there. The best to use is T6-6 nylon (also becoming known as 'air-bag quality') and has the best Thermal Stability. The better the grade the bigger the cost.

Another reason ropes go hard is salt build up. That is easily fixed.

The construction of a rope has little to do with it's ability to go hard, a 3 strand of XX grade will do it at the same pace as a 8 braided of the same grade. Generally 8 braids have been made of higher grade yarn but as the popularity of the 8 braid is taking off cheap nasty versions are appearing fast.

Ways to minimise the hardening -
Don't buy cheap rope.
Keep away from heat like hot water, lying on a dark surface in the sun and the like.
Wash with fresh COLD water, drain and then soak in more fresh water with fabric softener. DON'T go silly with the fabric softener, it can harm the rope in big levels. use the recommended does on the bottle. Soak away for a few days is fine.

Possible fishing tip - One of our punters uses 'Lavender Fresh' fabric softener and for a few weeks after he has done it he catches a pile more fish. He swears that the Lavender smell attracts them Warning - As most harden Fishos are usually lunatics, this may or may not be for real

[Talbot]

Originally Posted by David M

8-strand is more difficult to splice. The good news is that you only have to make one splice. I don't use it anywhere else on the boat for that reason. I just don't like anchor rode that is more difficult to manage than an angry anaconda.

I beg to differ.

More complex - yes because there are more strands.

More difficult - no because the strands are much easier to manage, and the soft wrap of an eight strand is much easier to manipulate for passing through the strands when making the splice.

If you want difficult, try a wire splice.

[FrankZ]

Originally Posted by Talbot

If you want difficult, try a wire splice.

Do you have instructions for doing a wire to rope splice?

Always wanted to try that.

[Ancora Latina]

Originally Posted by FrankZ

Do you have instructions for doing a wire to rope splice?.

May be ?

The Splicing handbook

Techniques for Modern and Traditional Ropes

http://www.mhprofessional.com/product.php?cat=115&isbn=0071354387

AL