Paracord- what is it good for?

[SV__Grace]

I use for-

- leader lines (electrical and mast)
- lashing (no shortage of things to tie down on a boat)
- flag halyard (the good stuff lasts a long time)
- safety tethers for stuff I don't want to fall or blow overboard (e.g. temp boarding ladder)

[redhead]

Wrap it around and around the sail cover in winter when the gales blow. (I've gone through 2 sail covers - chafes right through).

If I lived in the tropics I wouldn't need paracord - hmmmm.....

[StoneCrab]

I use it in place of my running rigging when storing the boat.

I tie it to the end of the halyard and then pull the halyard through the sheave and back to the bottom of the mast. In spring, I just retie the halyard to the paracord to pull the halyard back in place. Saves time, wear and tear on the expensive rope, and doesn't slap in the wind.

I also use paracord on the ends of my tools that I take aloft in the boson's chair. It saves the deck or someone's head of the tool slips.

Great stuff.

[psk125]

We run seine twine https://shop.hamiltonmarine.com/prod...all-42688.html between the lifelines and toerail forward to help keep loose sails and crew on board. (Photo shows us battened down for expected storm winds.)

[PirateGuy]

Originally Posted by Jammer

You can't use it for tying up a rib roast because it will melt in the oven and impart an adverse flavor to the meat.


You can't use it for cannon fuse because it goes out.


You can't use it for bondage because it's too thin and cuts off the circulation.

I find wide leather straps to work well for slave scenes.

As for paracord, it is useful to stretch sun covers across one’s deck.

And raise Christmas lights up the mast.

[Simi 60]

I prefer Polyester VB cord
100m roll costs $20
400lb break
https://www.marinewarehouse.com.au/vb-cords

[Gypsyjon]

Buy Dacron paracord, sun will not kill it.
Ham radio operators use it to hang antennas.

Very handy stuff, don't leave the dock without a couple of hundred feet.

[Redline452]

make paracord "zipper pulls" as handles for pelican hooks and snap shackles - lifeline gate, dinghy hoist, etc. Can even colour-code them.

[Redline452]

Originally Posted by Jammer

You can't use it for bondage because it's too thin and cuts off the circulation.

oops...

[s/v Jedi]

For many things like my new boom gallows

[dfelsent]

I use this for all sorts of things.

https://www.defender.com/product3.js...79482&id=37428
Reeving lines. Lashings. Pulling wires. Flag halyards. You name it.

And tarred marlin for the traditional look and the lovely smell.

https://www.gaelforcemarine.co.uk/Mo...n=UnitedStates

[CarlF]

Nylon cord has its place but it's terrible in many boat applications. Especially the cheap Chinese knock-offs that unravel if you looks sideways at them - and then dissolve in the sun.

I always carry some "tarred seine twine" from legendary rigger Brion Toss (who unfortunately passed away this year but his company carries on). Unlike paracord and other cheap nylon - it doesn't unravel, knots never slip, doesn't chafe, is untouched by UV and looks extremely salty. The perfect thing to lash shackles, things to rails, and loose gear. Despite the "tarred" name it is not sticky and non-marking.

I usually get the 42# cord. Scroll to the bottom of this page:
Brion Toss Yacht Riggers, Sailboat Rigging::Rigging Tools

[psk125]

Mousing anchor shackles!

[KayZee]

Originally Posted by CarlF

I always carry some "tarred seine twine" from legendary rigger Brion Toss (who unfortunately passed away this year but his company carries on).

Oh No! Another one of my early sailing heroes gone. It's odd becuase I had thought I had lost or given away my old copy of "The riggers apprentice" but just today I just found it in a box of my wife's gardening books out in the garage and was so happy.


Kurt

[skipper53]

What do you use for Canon Fuse???