Keeping lines clean and pliable

[jtsailjt]

I'm interested in learning how others manage to keep those rarely used lines on your boats clean and soft. Is soaking them in fabric softener and then scrubbing them with a brush a good idea or can someone recommend another product or technique that works well? The lines I use regularly seem to stay pliable and look fine but I have several lines aboard that very rarely get used or adjusted (preventers, running backstays, jib halyard on roller furler) and they accumulate something that looks like green algae or they get stiff and uncomfortable to use. What's the best way to "renew" them?

[Stu Jackson]

My very first real winter on our boat (18 years) and we got the green crud. But only on lines that were horizontal and/or on the deck. Every line that was hung and coiled did just fine. Next year I take the jib sheets up to the pulpit.

Soap is fine, softener not needed. Some have reported that softener is not good for the lines. My green came of with Simple Green.

[UNCIVILIZED]

You may want to read this thread, it's loaded with good info on the topic http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ce-183601.html

[Hasbeen]

Years ago I spent a couple of winter months is Townsville, Queensland Oz. Townsville is in an area of summer rainfall, & the topography makes winter rain very rare.


As usual when visiting a port for a period, I went racing with the local yacht club. I've found clubs love visitors to join in their races, & regardless of how fast you are, it tends to increase your welcome.


After a few weekend races, with soaked sheets, & not a drop of rain, I found my sheets were becoming almost rigid with salt. Another cruiser with the same problem & I decided to wash our sheets. With no access to anywhere suitable, we loaded everything we could strip off our boats into a couple of sail bags, & adjourned, with a jumbo box of washing powder, to the nearest Laundromat.


The looks on the faces of 3 ladies there doing their washing, as we pilled our ropes into washing machines is something I still get a chuckle from to this day.


It worked, the sheets were much more flexible & easier to handle.