Using Retired Rigging as Lifelines

[j-hood]

I am almost done re-rigging my '67 Rawson and was staring at my pile of really-not-bad-looking used 1x19 stainless rope when it occurred to me that it may make excellent lifelines. I will grant you that it's a bit heavy, but I really think that on my 30' tank of a boat the weight differential will be minimal, especially if I just do the top line.

Has anyone done this, or does anyone know a viable reason not to? This also gives me a use for some of the Sta-Loks that I am retiring but that seem ok, certainly good enough to withstand an expected lifeline load.

Thanks in advance for your input!

[Jim Cate]

Yes, I've seen it done, and think it is a reasonable approach to lifeline construction. And certainly the Sta-Loks will be good if you replace the cones... and why are you retiring them? They last essentially forever.

We also used some replaced lower shrouds as jack lines on a previous boat. Now worries about either UV damage, strength or stretch with 5/16" 1x19! They didn't roll under foot like cordage does, either!

You will likely get some negative feedback, but stand firm... it is a workable plan!

Jim

[Finistere]

Just had all my plastic covered unreliable lifelines replaced by 1/4" 1 x 19. Looks great and I feel a lot safer being able to inspect lifelines that are not covered in plastic.

[j-hood]

Thanks, guys. You voiced what I was thinking.

I have a few extras that I inherited plus one or two out of the whole lot that I just didn't like and would feel better replacing. As it is just one or two that made me nervous I am going to listen to my gut and replace them. As many as there are I think I can live with that.

And Jim I really like the jack line idea, too. Awesome!!

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Yes, I've seen it done, and think it is a reasonable approach to lifeline construction. And certainly the Sta-Loks will be good if you replace the cones... and why are you retiring them? They last essentially forever.

We also used some replaced lower shrouds as jack lines on a previous boat. Now worries about either UV damage, strength or stretch with 5/16" 1x19! They didn't roll under foot like cordage does, either!

You will likely get some negative feedback, but stand firm... it is a workable plan!

Jim

[roverhi]

We did it when we built our Westsail 32. Picked up 1/4" 1x19 wire from the trash at a boatyard, price was definitely right. Used Norseman terminals to install. Still on the boat after 40 years in the tropics. The 1/4" wire is large enough diameter that it works fine without a cover and so over strength that failure is a non issue. Not having a cover is probably why it's lasted so long.

[Boatguy30]

What more valuable; your mast or your life?

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by j-hood

I am almost done re-rigging my '67 Rawson and was staring at my pile of really-not-bad-looking used 1x19 stainless rope when it occurred to me that it may make excellent lifelines. I will grant you that it's a bit heavy, but I really think that on my 30' tank of a boat the weight differential will be minimal, especially if I just do the top line.

Has anyone done this, or does anyone know a viable reason not to? This also gives me a use for some of the Sta-Loks that I am retiring but that seem ok, certainly good enough to withstand an expected lifeline load.

Thanks in advance for your input!

HMMMMmmmmmmmmm mine is 3/4 inch. probably not a good plan.

I have noticed that the marina tosses old rigging wire. This might be a source for anyone who needs it.

[Stumble]

So you are taking down wire because it is at the end of its service life to support the mast, and going to press it into service to save a hundred bucks on new lifelines.

Ya sounds like a good plan to me. While your at it I have some old shackles that have rusted if you want to make up some safety tethers with them.

[Jim Cate]

Greg, if one uses cast off 5/16 " 1x19 which looks good on the outside, I suspect that it's breaking strength will far exceed that of your brand new 3/16" lifeline material. The potential stress from crew falling against the lifeline is well below the normal preload placed on, say, a lower shroud, let alone the dynamic loads that take out old standing rigging.

I think that it is a reasonable practice if weight is not an issue.

Jim

[Stumble]

Jim,

I don't disagree with what is likely, but I also don't consider it a reasonable risk. I have seen wire rotted from the inside, or it could be work hardened, or one of a hundred issues. If we were betting $50 I would happily bet that old standing rigging would be fine for years. On the other hand in this case we aren't, and I wouldn't risk my life, or the life of my wife to try and save a few bucks.

Just spend a few minutes considering the guilt you would carry if that wire happen to part as you watch your kid fall overboard into rough seas.

[roverhi]

You are risking your life if you are relying on the standard coated lifeline wire. The coating is a great way to set up and hide crevice corrosion. Can't tell the serviceability of the wire by looking at it only by falling overboard when it breaks.

Almost all rigging is changed because of problems with or questions about the swages, the wire at the swages, or just because it's time, not the wire itself. In any case, the wire is easily inspected and way stronger than the coated life line wire from the outer outer strands alone.

If you are a rich lawyer fearing lawsuits around every corner, by all means don't use old 1/4" or larger 1x19 wire. Leave it for the rest of us akamai people so we can save some money.

[DumnMad]

Yep, cut the bits off each end where crevice corrosion is most likely to occur and if the cut ends are free of corrosion

[Stumble]

You can make a complete set of safe lifelines for a 30' boat for less than $120. There are plenty of places to try and save money, but safety systems just aren't one of them.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Stumble

You can make a complete set of safe lifelines for a 30' boat for less than $120. There are plenty of places to try and save money, but safety systems just aren't one of them.

That's assuming lifelines 24 inches off the deck are actually " safety systems " !!!!!!

Dave

[Cheechako]

I've used bare wire before and wouldn't hesitate to re-use rigging that looked good. It seems to me rigging failures are near the ends usually..? Cut the ends off with new terminations.
SS wire , including the usual plastic covered type, is probably way overkill for lifelines in the first place. It seems stancions bend before the wire breaks, and I don't think a 200 lb body is going to break the wire.
Wow, a 67 Rawson all the way over in Annapolis huh? That was my first offshore boat.