Peeling Lifelines

[chipveres]

I am peeling the deteriorated plastic coating from the lifelines of my 1974 Mac. Both to renew the plastic and to inspect the wire itself. I found that a heat gun and a sharp knife make the job easy. In my case I found that the cable needs to be heated about 60 seconds per foot. YMMV.

Chip Veres
S/V Sand Dollar
Dania, FL

[NiceAft]

Plastic coating on your lifelines My 2005 has bare wire.

[Piddle and Futz]

Happy to have bare wire on mine as well. There are so many stories about the fancy coating (especially the aftermarket stuff) trapping moisture and causing oxidation.

[Russ]

I think plastic coating was more common years ago. I too would be concerned about what's under that coating. Seems like a cheap fix to replace lifelines with known elements. Especially after 47 years.

[NiceAft]

Just passed our 47 wedding anniversary; have no interest in replacing my lifeline

[Be Free]

Chip: Are those the original lifelines? Has that boat been in the Dania area all that time? If so, that is some impressive material!

Russ: They were still using plastic coated lifelines on the "X" in 2001. Maybe they changed when they introduced the "M".

Ray: congratulations on 47 (coming up on 43 here).

[chipveres]

Hi Bill:

I think they are the original lifelines. The boat spent the early part of her life in Howey in the Hills (actual place) in fresh water. She wasn't introduced into the rough and tumble life of salt water until about ten years ago. The brown insulation-like stuff under the peeling white layer appears to have protected the wire.

Chip V.

[Be Free]

I was born in Miami (near Dania), went to high school in Sanford (near Howey in the Hills), raised a family in Gainesville, and now live in Steinhatchee. I've been gradually migrating NW for the last (many) decades. I'm less than a mile from the Gulf so I guess I'll have to pick a different direction if I ever move again.

I've been thinking about replacing my plastic covered lifelines sometime in the near future. Sounds like they may last a bit longer if yours are any indication.

[PSNA]

The polycoating on the lifelines is there for a reason.

Underneath is nothing but a piece of twisted wire. Just wait till one of the strands break.

it will rip through a sail, clothing, and skin like a hot knife through butter.

Pretty dangerous leaving it bare.

[OverEasy]

Yes! Bare wire with a broken strand is gonna leave a nasty mark! Been there / done than / got the scars.

The plastic coat helps protect you, sails and improves lifeline visibility.

But with that said everything eventually ages out.
If the underlying cable is good they make a slip on white plastic sheathing from West Marine.

An alternative is Dynema line to replace the cables. Comes in a variety of colors and sizes.

If/when our lines need replacement we’re going with the Dynema cordage.

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[PSNA]

Yup. Dyneema is one amazing product.

You can even toss those wire stays and replace them with it or a few other similar products. Also, the "new shackles" are called "soft shackles".

It's kind of ironic. The tall ships used lines to hold everything up and we have circled back. Albeit with a better mousetrap.

[Stickinthemud57]

My plastic covers are cracking, and I made the mistake of leaving a portion lying on the foredeck. Now I have rust stains there. Another "winter project".

The local rigging guru at my marina said stripping the plastic off is a relatively simple affair using a utility knife. I will keep the heat gun option in mind come that time.

If the strands are sound, I will likely look at applying some protective sleeving in the active sail areas. As soon as I see even one broken strand there or elsewhere, I will replace the old cables.

Dyneema is an interesting option. Would be interested to see how that has performed for those who have tried it.

[PSNA]

Dyneema is well past the testing phase.

It has been used for some time now in building sails. Its non-stretch properties make it perfect for luff, leech, and foot lines. Also used in free flying sails to add tension on the luff.

As for lifelines, I still like the look of the poly-coated twisted wire cable.

I have double lifelines and it took a day to replace. The port and starboard gates ate up most of that time.

[Russ]

My plastic covers are cracking, and I made the mistake of leaving a portion lying on the foredeck. Now I have rust stains there. Another "winter project".

Try using this product. I've removed rust stains with it many times.