Ropes and ropework Rope Types


Today’s manufacturers create synthetic ropes to suit any purpose. The skipper’s job is to know which are appropriate for the various jobs on board and ensure that the best choice is on board.


‘Traditional synthetics’ Polyester – can be either three-strand traditional rope or braidline. Polyester is an all-purpose cordage offering good strength and stretch resistance. It is reasonably resilient to the degrading effects of sunlight and chafe, retaining flexibility into comparative old age. In its pre-stretched form it has even better resistance to stretch and may sometimes be stronger. Suitable for sheets, halyards and general on-board use, although a more economical material for example polypropylene is often used for docklines. Nylon Very strong, chafe resistant, and the most stretchy rope you are likely to find. This helps it to absorb shock and makes it perfect for anchor rode. Polypropylene Often lighter than water, so it floats. Great for heaving lines. Although not as strong as nylon or polyester, it is considerably cheaper, so if you go up a gauge or two in size it makes grand docklines.


Polypropylene degrades faster than other types in sunlight, so watch for it beginning to ‘powder’ and expect a limited lifespan once it does.


‘Extra-strength synthetics ’ High Modulus polyethylene (HMPE) often seen as ‘Spectra®’ or ‘Dyneema®’ is light, incredibly stretch- resistant and phenomenally strong. Used extensively in racing yachts and increasingly on cruising sailboats where these characteristics are desirable, it is not cheap, but with its surprising ability to cope with chafe it lasts a long time. Excellent for halyards, downhauls, reefing pennants and for operating systems such as a single-line reefing that may otherwise be doomed by stretch. Aramid or Kevlar®, is less resistant to sunlight than other hi-tech ropes. It also loses more strength when knotted, and is heavier than HMPE. Liquid Crystal Polymers such as Vectran are even better in many respects than the seemingly unbeatable HMPE, but because it is prone to deterioration in sunlight, it is best used inside a braidline sheath.


40 | MANUAL OF SEAMANSHIP


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