Cheap vs expensive polyester line/rope

[AuChante]

West marine gas line for $1.20ish per ft, but online is $0.30ish per ft. Both are double braided 7/16 polyester and seem to be identical. Are they close enough that it wouldn’t matter to a weekend cruiser?

[Kijit]

I often shop on ebay and other online places for line. Just look a little carefully at the seller. Some will actually give elongation specs, etc, in addition to breaking strength. Over the past couple of years I have replaced our jib sheets, main halyard, jib halyard, boom topping lift, pole lift, and dock lines with lines I have purchased from various online sellers.


Gerhard

[Benz]

There is a huge difference in quality between manufacturers. If the 30-cent line is the same brand as West Marine's, then it's a screaming deal. But if it's some off-brand, it may not be worth even that. Usually cheap line is just that: cheap line, and it performs poorly and dies young.

[Franziska]

I can highly recommend buying line at commercial fishing suppliers.
Possibly even through an actual fisherman.
You will get good quality for fair prices.

Fishermen need good quality at reasonable prices. They use a lot of lines.

Anything yachting related seems to be generally overpriced.

[AuChante]

Originally Posted by Kijit

I often shop on ebay and other online places for line. Just look a little carefully at the seller. Some will actually give elongation specs, etc, in addition to breaking strength. Over the past couple of years I have replaced our jib sheets, main halyard, jib halyard, boom topping lift, pole lift, and dock lines with lines I have purchased from various online sellers.


Gerhard

Are there other specs that tell me if it's any good? UV resistance rating?


And I had a funny little quip that I left out of the original post... Is the ebay line any good or is it just rope.

[tkeithlu]

Two types of problem:

I've found "nylon" line on the market that acually had a polypropylene core. Stay away from polypropylene because it isn't UV resistant.

Twisted rope can be anywhere from hard enough to use in a lariat to so soft that you can't splice it. You really can't determine that without holding it in your hands.

[JC Reefer]

Originally Posted by Franziska

I can highly recommend buying line at commercial fishing suppliers.
Possibly even through an actual fisherman.
You will get good quality for fair prices.

Fishermen need good quality at reasonable prices. They use a lot of lines.

Anything yachting related seems to be generally overpriced.

^ This is reasonable advise.

I would also add that off brand tends to be on the soft size, with fewer threads, wound loose. This creates a line of a desired thickness from less material.

Also be aware that west marine is fairly overpriced. Comparing that company to some random online eBay shop would be tough.

[Phyrcooler]

Originally Posted by JC Reefer

…snip

Also be aware that west marine is fairly overpriced. Comparing that company to some random online eBay shop would be tough.

I agree. However, West Marine with great regularity puts line on sale. Frequently it is 20 - 25% off, which makes it a reasonable deal. I plan and purchase accordingly - only when on sale. Additionally, the “West Marine” dock lines are produced by New England ropes (and includes documentation from same) and are in my experience, a decent quality item.

Lastly… I like a bargain as much as the next guy. But if it is something that affects the security of the boat, or my safety, I tend to be leary of unbranded, undocumented stuff from Amazon, eBay, as well as other Offshore vendors. Buyer beware.

[Simi 60]

I once bought cheap double braid from a big hardware store here.
After 6 mths in the sun the inner core, surprisingly, turned to dust.
Thankfully it wasn't doing anything important, just general lashing.