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08-02-2015, 13:57
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Back in Northern California working on the Ranch
Boat: Pearson 365 Sloop and 9' Fatty Knees.
Posts: 10,466
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Wood ratlines
I want to have Ratlines on my lower stays. I have seen different woods used for this, although I cannot identify the type. I'm sure not going to use teak at $35 a board foot. I know there are some hardwood out there that are weather resistant as well as sliver resistant. Anyone know a reasonably priced hardwood?
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"
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08-02-2015, 14:22
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#2
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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: Wood ratlines
Lignum Vitae is pretty traditional, but also isn't cheap. Last I looked it was running about $7 a board foot.
__________________
Greg
- If animals weren't meant to be eaten then they wouldn't be made of food.
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08-02-2015, 14:39
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#3
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Little Compton, RI
Boat: Cape George 31
Posts: 2,962
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Re: Wood ratlines
Two good and relatively cheap hardwoods are Sapele (African Mahogany) and black Locust. I have both on my boat's exterior and they hold up wonderfully. However, if you're in Mexico, they might be hard to come by. Look for some "Palofierro", and good luck.
Ben
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08-02-2015, 15:14
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 143
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Re: Wood ratlines
On my first boat, I made a set of wooden ratlines for both masts (ketch) using 1-1/2" by 1-1/4" oak. It was band-sawed into two pieces after the holes were drilled to accommodate the wire. That left it just tight enough to stay in place. Two carriage bolts at each end secured it to the wires. I put them on in 1977 and they were still on the boat when I sold it in 1999. Occasional painting kept things looking nice.
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08-02-2015, 15:51
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Back in Northern California working on the Ranch
Boat: Pearson 365 Sloop and 9' Fatty Knees.
Posts: 10,466
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Re: Wood ratlines
Quote:
Originally Posted by svinshallah
On my first boat, I made a set of wooden ratlines for both masts (ketch) using 1-1/2" by 1-1/4" oak. It was band-sawed into two pieces after the holes were drilled to accommodate the wire. That left it just tight enough to stay in place. Two carriage bolts at each end secured it to the wires. I put them on in 1977 and they were still on the boat when I sold it in 1999. Occasional painting kept things looking nice.
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I'm assuming it was white oak being outside. When drilling the holes before cutting...how did you figure out the angle to accommodate the shroud angle?
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"
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08-02-2015, 17:25
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 143
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Re: Wood ratlines
I hate to sound ignorant and it was a long time ago, but oak was oak. I know a little better now. It would stain and turn black when it got wet, which was why it was painted.
I marked each of the pieces by holding them up to the shrouds a one at a time and marking where the wire ran. Then I'd take them to the shop, drill the 4 holes, then split them into to pieces. Not the most time-efficient way but I didn't know better at the time. I could do three on each set of lowers which only took me three weekends to do them all.
Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum
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08-02-2015, 17:52
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Whangarei Northland New Zealand
Boat: L.F.H S chooner 49'11" lod 64 loa
Posts: 16
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Re: Wood ratlines
Hi Consider "Purple Heart" strong, rot resistant and usually available.
See "The Complete Rigger's Apprentice" ISBN 0-07-064840-9
Brion Toss has a very good write up on this subject.. Cheers len
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08-02-2015, 18:32
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Southern California
Posts: 588
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Re: Wood ratlines
I've been aloft next to a guy that stepped thru a broken batten. The scream almost made me fall! Never hold the battens with your hands! Only the shrouds.
Good, close-grained oak is fine. But drilling and U-bolting scares me. It's not good for the battens or the shrouds. A good lashing with 72 or larger seine twine would be better. You should be able to get enough tension by using a "heaver". Even better would be to parcel and serve the shrouds first. Much better grip for the hands!
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08-02-2015, 19:47
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Back in Northern California working on the Ranch
Boat: Pearson 365 Sloop and 9' Fatty Knees.
Posts: 10,466
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Re: Wood ratlines
Quote:
Originally Posted by svinshallah
I hate to sound ignorant and it was a long time ago, but oak was oak. I know a little better now. It would stain and turn black when it got wet, which was why it was painted.
I marked each of the pieces by holding them up to the shrouds a one at a time and marking where the wire ran. Then I'd take them to the shop, drill the 4 holes, then split them into to pieces. Not the most time-efficient way but I didn't know better at the time. I could do three on each set of lowers which only took me three weekends to do them all.
Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum
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Thanx for the input. Gives me good ideas
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"
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08-02-2015, 20:45
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Vancouver Island
Boat: 55'alloy performance cruiser
Posts: 124
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Re: Wood ratlines
Hi there, You are in the land of beautiful hardwoods, some better than anything you will ever find in conventional lumber stores. I have been steadily importing into Canada a grand selection of beautiful woods from the Pt. Vallarta area for my new build. There are many woods there that are more than up to the task, parote, barcino, juapinole are a few of the names I remember. These are all heavy oil rich woods that weather well. Go to a local window or door manufacturer and get some samples The barcino is great for cleats and fiddles, very dense and is quite black with white streaking. The juapinole is like blood wood, drive a plug into it and it sounds like ceramic it is so hard. The most I have paid is about 2500/1000bdfeet or 2.5 a board foot.
I could post some pics if you are really interested.
Greg
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08-02-2015, 21:33
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Back in Northern California working on the Ranch
Boat: Pearson 365 Sloop and 9' Fatty Knees.
Posts: 10,466
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Re: Wood ratlines
Thanx Greg. This might be a good solution. I'll get with a lumber yard or cabinet shop down there and perhaps farm the job out to him as far as cutting, bull-nosing and sanding the battens. Then I may do the rest which is the hardware end of it.
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"
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