The rope serves many important functions onboard a boat. Choosing the right rope for each application is essential to safety and performance.
Nylon is the best choice for most applications aboard a yacht due to its strength, durability, ease of handling, and resistance to UV degradation. Polyester is also a good option and has the advantage of being able to be spliced to retain its maximum strength.
Strength
A high-quality sailboat rope must be strong enough to support the weight of a boat and the people on it. It should also be flexible and able to handle extreme weather conditions.
A rope’s strength is generally measured in daN (dekanewtons) where 1 daN = 10 N of force. However, some manufacturers use kilograms instead of N or daN for working and break loads, which is more accurate.
The safe working load for a line is generally thought to be no more than five times its breaking strength. This is a rule of thumb that should never be exceeded, no matter what you are doing.
It is also important to understand that a rope will lose strength over time. Knots, splices, stretching, and sustained loads will cause the tensile strength of the rope to reduce.
Durability
A good quality sailing boat rope can last a long time when properly cared for. Whether it’s the running rigging on your vessel or a mooring line, your rope should be in good condition when you set sail.
Polyester, Nylon, and Polypropylene are the most common fibers used in making marine ropes. These fibers are all extremely strong and resistant to abrasion, UV radiation, heat build-up and many chemicals.
Nylon has been the choice of many yacht owners for running rigging, anchor rodes, and towing lines as it’s highly abrasion-resistant and retains its strength when wet. However, it loses its strength at high speeds and may float in water.
Polypropylene is a good alternative to nylon for running rigging and anchor rods, but it doesn’t hold up as well in splicing and can lose its strength during cyclic loading. It is also susceptible to heat build-up, so is not recommended for deep water moorings.
Flexibility
Sailing ropes are used for many different things on a boat, including running rigging, anchor rode, towing lines, and more. Regardless of the application, it is important to find the right rope that will fit your particular needs and budget.
The high-quality line is available in a variety of materials from Dyneema (r), polyester, aramid fibers, and more. Each material has its own unique properties and benefits to sailors.
For example, Dyneema (r) is a highly flexible material that can be used to create a strong tether without the risk of the tether sagging under heavy load. Dyneema(r) can also be used to make a stronger halyard that will help reduce the amount of tension on the sails, which is especially important in windy conditions.
A good rope will have a smooth surface, will not kink, and will be durable. This ensures that it will last for a long time and keep you safe in the water.
Weight
The weight of the rope – both the core and the cover – plays an important part in how effectively the boat sails. On smaller boats, a lighter-weight rope will help the helmsman to keep control over the boat and make it less likely to heel in strong winds.
On larger vessels, a heavier rope will allow the crew to move about more freely and reduce the likelihood of being thrown out of the boat by strong gusts. But a high-quality rope should also be capable of holding its strength for long periods without compromising performance or handling comfort.
Modern ropes typically have a core made from a number of fibers, including Dyneema, Technora, and Kevlar. They are then covered in a range of different ways to optimize their performance for a given task. These can include abrasion resistance, improved holding in a clutch or jammer, and even UV protection.
