Paracord- what is it good for?

[sailor4life7777]

Hi guys, I wanted to come up with a list of all the ways paracord can be useful on a boat. Please share all the things you have used paracord for and how much paracord you carry with you.

I am currently a landlubber building a boat so paracord has been great for tying construction materials to the roof of my car! I also used it to make hanging shelves.

[KayZee]

To me paracord on a boat is like duct tape, there's a lot of things is does okay but there is always something that does it better.



I use two colors of it for practicing knots more than anything else. For lashings I care about I use hard braided polyester cord.


Kurt

[De.windhoos]

Originally Posted by sailor4life7777

Hi guys, I wanted to come up with a list of all the ways paracord can be useful on a boat. Please share all the things you have used paracord for and how much paracord you carry with you.

I am currently a landlubber building a boat so paracord has been great for tying construction materials to the roof of my car! I also used it to make hanging shelves.

making bracelets

[Don C L]

I think it could be useful as a messenger line, or heaving line, for a tow line except that it doesn't float too well. For a messenger you need a light strong line loosely coiled for shooting or throwing. I've been thinking of experimenting with a bungee slingshot and a silicon filled tennis ball to send the messenger.

[StuM]

Just a few thoughts:
hand* loops on knives, boat hooks and other tools etc.
Turks heads on tillers, wheels, etc.
Low load soft shackles for suspending things like loops of rope
Clothes etc lines under the bimini
Emergency release( i.e. cuttable) points at the end of lilelines


*not "wrist" loop - especially on a boat hook!



Like this:


NOT like this:

[apirate]

It’s great for wrapping the helm wheel.

[Thumbs Up]

What I think of as paracord is that cheap camo Harbor Freight type stuff. It has no place on a boat. It is not that strong and after a few months in the sun it disintegrates leaving plastic dust everywhere. The good stuff, I think is called tuna leader line.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Thumbs Up

What I think of as paracord is that cheap camo Harbor Freight type stuff. It has no place on a boat. It is not that strong and after a few months in the sun it disintegrates leaving plastic dust everywhere. The good stuff, I think is called tuna leader line.

The good stuff is generally called "mil-spec paracord" and comes in various diameters/strengths. The most common is "Type III / 550 lb". Good paracord is nylon and is UV resistant. The problem is it's hard to tell what's "good stuff" without pulling it apart, so you need to know what you are looking for and avoid buying online unless you are confident about the source.

[chris mac]

I keep it on board and use it for things like, lanyard for tools I'm taking underwater, line on sail pack zipper, messenger line, quick temporary lashing.
Mostly light to medium strength temporary things

[DefinitelyMe]

Put a line of bright yellow paracord about 6" above each spreader. Cormorants can't take off backwards, which means they won't land on your spreaders, which means they won't turn your deck into a quagmire of caustic poo!

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by sailor4life7777

Please share all the things you have used paracord for and how much paracord you carry with you.

I think it is overrated and don't have any on my boat. I have no military background or aspirations and as such don't find paracord to have any particular draw.I



I prefer the stagehand's tie line which is softer, holds knots better, and does not need to have the ends burned when cut as it has no core.


I also like to use bank line for certain tasks where some might choose paracord. Again it is cheaper and single braid although it is necessary to burn the ends to keep it from unraveling.



I find that on a sailboat there is, over time, no shortage of scraps of high-quality double-braid rope since halyards, sheets, etc. have to be retired from critical uses when most or all of the line is still sufficient for e.g. fenders or lashing.

[JC Reefer]

What can’t you use Paracord for?

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by JC Reefer

What can’t you use Paracord for?

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.

[SeanPatrick]

Originally Posted by StuM

The good stuff is generally called "mil-spec paracord" and comes in various diameters/strengths. The most common is "Type III / 550 lb". Good paracord is nylon and is UV resistant. The problem is it's hard to tell what's "good stuff" without pulling it apart, so you need to know what you are looking for and avoid buying online unless you are confident about the source.

This is the good stuff:


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[SalingSue]

I have a few in my mast incase I want to pull a new wire.

Comes in handy for all sorts of stuff and it’s cheap.