Rope Care

[Nasher]

All

My Father always taught me that I should look after my ropes.

My wash down and engine flush regime includes dumping any ropes that have been in the sea in a big bin of fresh water and agitating them with a stick (naughty ropes ) to rinse out the salt and any muck.
Then flushing with more fresh water before hanging them hung out on the line or in the garage to dry.
About once a year they get some soap flakes added to the water for a better clean.

I believe that any dried salt crystals in the rope start to make minute cuts inside the rope when it’s moved, and degrade it from the inside out.

Is there an easier way?

Recently I’ve started to dump the wet suit boots in the washing machine to rinse them out, rather than the big bin method, and am considering this with the Ropes as well.

Or should I just replace the ropes every two years or so?

Nasher.

[alexm]

Replacing the ropes every two years seems a bit excessive to me. Modern ropes are so durable I don't bother doing anything with mine unless they are visibly dirty with mud etc.

We have a running line made of 14mm polyester that has been rubbing around on the sea bed for over ten years! With wear and stretch etc it's probably a couple of mm less in diameter than it was but it's otherwise completely sound!

[Pete7]

We would like you to try the washing machine method and then report back with the results. Probably best not to tell Frances beforehand though

Pete

[The Grocer]

If I remember correctly, the members of the rock-climbing and caving fraternity are wont to stick their bits of string in the washing machine every now and again. I think there were long and deep discussions as to the best soap powder to use

Anyway, the general consensus was that clean ropes were a Good Thing (TM);
and as those guys have more of a vested interest in the integrity of their ropes, I'm inclined to think that dunking your docklines in the washer won't hurt.

To prevent fankles, coil/flake ropes neatly and put in a net or canvas bag before washing!

[Nasher]

Thanks Grocer.

Pete.
Strangely it was Frances's Idea with the Wet suit boots.

Of course I would add some conditioner to keep the ropes nice and soft so they don't chaff my delicate hands

Nasher.

[BogMonster]

Make sure there are no shackles on the ropes before dumping them in a washing machine

I find (on vehicles anyway - 4x4 off road recovery ropes) that nylon rope very visibly degrades long before there is any weakness to worry about. Ones that fail are always really really rotten looking from UV etc and invariably ones that I would have dumped years before they actually broken.

I don't bother doing anything with the ropes on my boat but then I don't leave the boat moored up now, however they have been dunked in salt water and never been rinsed out and they still look fine after 18 months (I replaced the mooring lines when I got the boat as the ones that came with it looked pretty scraggy). Will have a better look though...

[landlord]

On the superyachts we would dump the dock lines (25 - 30 mm dia) into the jacuzzi with a load of washing powder ! Didnt harm them and kept them in good condition.

[Andy Moore]

We have had our warps for year-and-years-and-years. Some must date back to the 1950s. We never rinse them and they are fine. We might lie them on deck to dry sometimes but not always.

So, in my opinion, rinsing and faffing about with them is a waste of time. Occasionally we have put a halyard in the washing machine to spruce it up a tad. I was told that no washing powder was necessary as there ought to be some residue of powder knocking about in the machine somewhere.

Rinsing ropes? Nah. Waste of effort. Go to the pub instead.

[Andy Moore]

Originally Posted by Nasher

Or should I just replace the ropes every two years or so?

Christ, No.

Or if you do, can I have the 'old' ones?

[codprawn]

I used to wash my climbing and caving ropes in the washing machine - used lux soap flakes. It did a great job - the water used to look like choc milk shake because of the Brecon Beacons infamous red mud.

Boat ropes are clean compared to that - it's the grit that's the killer - salt crystals will be back within a day of dunking them in the briney though!!!

[Red Fox]

Don't be a Fairy...be Bold...Omo I hear you cry not the old powder jokes! Well I was taught to keep my powder dry so I suggest on any rope that has been pulled too much you use a biological washing tab cos apparently they digest the dirt and strains.

[BigFella]

Having run a tree surgery business for many years in the past, washing ropes was a regular necessity. There is a particularly simple method to daisy chain a rope to prepare it for machine wash.

Lots of info here:

http://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/page.php?id=202

That said, I have never washed any line/rope/sheet on a boat, other than during a general hose off of the decks.

[robin]

I have washed my ropes regularly...well once a season... over several years. Keeps them all clean and better to handle. Have been through several cycles without any appreciable degradation or loss of strength.

Coil them in hanks then shove them in a pillowcase (stops them getting too tangled) put the pillowcase full of ropes into the washing machine on a short cycle with whatever soap powder you use......doesn't hurt the more delicate items of clothing so IMHO won't harm ropes.

Robin

[Red Fox]

Careful to use a cool wash or they could shrink and that would make tying up difficult. Now the problem could be as how to dry them? Tumble dried or hung out to dry...pegged on the washing line...there must be experts who have a view on this aspect...and then what temperature must the iron be set to get them looking neat...oh my goodness I can see a whole new thread appearing...in which case...darn it!

[Carl]

you guys crack me up cant wait for jk to come up with some wib net soap on a rope merchandise

[jyasaki]

Supposedly, a bit of fabric softener helps to lubricate the strands of the rope as well, preventing friction-caused heat buildup (which is a primary failure mode in lines used for tying up in, say hurricane conditions.)

I would suggest air drying rather than tossing them in a dryer, as nylon is fairly heat sensitive, and a dryer uses heat to, uh... dry.

Any beating the rope takes from being agititated in a washing machine will be far less than the damage done by residual salt crytals in the rope structure itself.


jky

[RAD]

As a Sailing Instructor, I have been privilaged (?) to sail a boat that hasnt had its sheets (using the proper term!) dunked in or washed with water. You know when a rope hasnt been washed as it feels really salty and is stiff to touch.

I dont think I'd go to the extent of chucking them in the washing machine but at least washing them off when you wash the boat and engine will I am sure surfice. (obviously IMO)

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by BigFella

Having run a tree surgery business .....

I always wanted to be a tree surgeon, but couldn't stand the sight of sap.

[Red Fox]

Originally Posted by RAD

sheets ...salty and is stiff to touch.

!!
A Pugwash moment!

[codprawn]

All these jokes have got me in a bit of a lather!!!