Removing Plastic Coating from Lifelines

[rognvald]

Has anyone had any success removing the plastic coating from lifelines? If so, what method did you use? Best, Ron

[Paul Elliott]

Due to the ocean racing rules, I had to replace my coated lifelines with uncoated wire. I first thought I might be able to just remove the plastic, so I used a knife to skin the cover off some of the old ones. It went pretty quickly and with a little care you won't damage the underlying wire.

---BUT---

In my case, the wire under the cover was corroded and many of the strands were weak. The wire was unsafe. I ended up replacing everything with 1x19 stainless and it has held up well for six years now, with no signs of deterioration. I strongly recommend that you throw away your coated lifelines, and replace them with bare wire or hi-tech line.

[zeehag]

i used the replacement method--as they broke, i transferred their use to dinghy lock cable and use spectra line instead.

[rognvald]

Thanks Paul and Zeehag for the replies. As is always the case, there is no substitute for the "right way." I will be building my lifelines with 1x19 SS 316 wire and Sta-lok terminals. I have found some excellent prices for the wire online. Good luck and good sailing, Ron

[Andrew A]

Originally Posted by rognvald

I have found some excellent prices for the wire online.

Would you mind sharing your online source...thank you

[Ram]

How old where these lifelines when you found they needed to be replaced??

[rognvald]

Originally Posted by Andrew A

Would you mind sharing your online source...thank you

Andrew, Seco South and Quality Chain and Cable sell 1X19 316 SS 1/8" wire for .39 and .40 cents a foot respectively. The best buy on the Sta-lok terminal connections was from Defender. Hope that helps. Good luck and good sailing, Ron

[rognvald]

Originally Posted by Ram

How old where these lifelines when you found they needed to be replaced??

Ram, They are well under 10 years old but began cracking after the boat was moved from the tropics to Chicago. I believe the wire is probably fine, but between the UV damage in the Islands and the brutal sub zero temps of Chicago winters, they've been cosmetically compromised. Best, Ron

[Paul Elliott]

Originally Posted by Ram

How old where these lifelines when you found they needed to be replaced??

In my case, the coated wire was about four years old. I think the corrosion wasn't yet to the point where the lifeline would have failed, but it was bad enough that I could never have trusted it. By that time the boat had spent a summer in Hawaii, and no doubt the heat and humidity accelerated the deterioration.

[Ram]

mine are 6 years old and I suppose its time for a change-Thanks!