Rope size

neilda · 09 June 2009, 10:12

I have inadvertently ordered rope big enough to anchor a ferry with - millimetres are still a mystery.

I wanted some spare rope for mooring, what's the ideal size? 9mm? 12mm?

The stuff I've ordered is superbly made by Jimmy Green Marine, reckon I can use it for towing other Range Rovers.

Simon B · 09 June 2009, 10:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilda

I have inadvertently ordered rope big enough to anchor a ferry with - millimetres are still a mystery.

I wanted some spare rope for mooring, what's the ideal size? 9mm? 12mm?

The stuff I've ordered is superbly made by Jimmy Green Marine, reckon I can use it for towing other Range Rovers.

So what/how did you order it?

Observer · 09 June 2009, 10:58

Nice splice and whipping - although I wouldn't put a s/s shackle on a plastic thimble. Did you do it yourself?

Ref. size, 12mm is plenty strength-wise for a 6m RIB and probably the ideal size for handling.

What size is the rope you bought.

neilda · 09 June 2009, 11:08

No, didn't do that myself, I ordered it on the internet and I think it's 18mm which is too chunky.

To connect to the metal bow 'hoop/ring' would I be better with a metal shackle?

jambo · 09 June 2009, 11:42

would I be better with a metal shackle? [/QUOTE]

Yes as a rule of thumb always try to connect like materials so change to a metal thimble with a metal shackle it is all about wear and tear!

Like 'Observer@ 12mm is more than plenty I use it on my swing mooring on the West of Scot>

J

Observer · 09 June 2009, 12:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilda

To connect to the metal bow 'hoop/ring' would I be better with a metal shackle?

Yes - as jambo said. Did you have the kit made up specially by Jimmy Green? If it's a 'stock' size/combination, they may take it back.

BTW, why did you want a hard eye and shackle anyway?

neilda · 09 June 2009, 18:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Observer

BTW, why did you want a hard eye and shackle anyway?

Not sure, I think I got carried away during the ordering process - would you just have a loop spliced?

chewy · 09 June 2009, 18:31

Depends what your using the rope for?

m chappelow · 09 June 2009, 18:48

[QUOTE=neilda;298798]with - millimetres are still a mystery.

my wife did an online weekly shopping with a large supermarket a few weeks back she couldent visulise things ,until truck pulls up with 8 carrier bags of bannanas and 20 literes of milk ,

Observer · 09 June 2009, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilda

Not sure, I think I got carried away during the ordering process - would you just have a loop spliced?

Yes - just a simple eye splice. If this if for your everyday mooring lines and you're attaching to a D-ring on the boat, I'd have a small eye about 2-3 times the diameter of the rope (just enough to feed the working end through). If it's more general purposes, I'd leave unfinished and make a loop with a bowline if needed.

I wouln't splice a hard eye (especially steel) into a boat's mooring line as it could do some damage to boat or people. I'm guessing you were thinking of shackling it to an internal D-ring? Unless you 'mouse' the shackle, that's not very secure (can come undone). If you do mouse it, it's a real bind to get off. Or, if you screw the shackle up really tight, you'll never get if undone without a tool (which will never fall easily to hand).

Example of the time to use a hard eye (thimble) and shackle would be if I wanted a static mooring line on my home pontoon, cut to exactly the right length to make up on the relevant cleat on the boat.

For that, I'd splice in a galvanised thimble then attach the eye to the leg of a pontoon cleat (leaves the arms of the cleat free for others) with a galvanised shackle (also better not to mix s/s and galvanised).

Hope this helps.

PS. One more suggestion - the rope in that picture looks like that 'soft to the touch' stuff. It's nice to look at and handle but I suspect it will go 'woolly' and develop 'pulls'. For general mooring duties, I'd use somnething a bit harder wearing.

PeterM · 09 June 2009, 18:57

Neil - try splicing it yourself. I did some for the first time last week and was pleasantly surprised.

Google for some instructions....

chewy · 09 June 2009, 19:07

Splicing is good to learn, it took me a while but just seemed to click one day!

neilda · 09 June 2009, 19:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Observer

Rope stuff

Yes Tim, very helpful, many thanks. I'll take your advice and order differently. The larger rope I can use for the kids in the garden as they want a swing on one of the trees.....

I'm not sure about splicing and binding myself, it looks a dark art.

chewy · 09 June 2009, 20:28

Its easy, get some old rope and practice on that, 3 splices will hold anything, the heavier the load the tighter and stronger it gets.
Did you buy nylon ropes for your moorings, it has quite a bit of give in it so you don't put undue strain on your deck fittings.

Chris · 09 June 2009, 20:57

One of the best boaty websites I have found...

Grogs

neilda · 09 June 2009, 20:59

Yes all the warp is nylon - and fitted by someone who knows what they're doing! I was just getting spares.....