Lines, lines and more lines
Our apartment is awash with lines. Dock lines, sheets, and various cords, which both hold together components on our boat and allow it to function, are currently littering our floor. For the nautically-challenged, a line is really a piece of rope. According to my new book, The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice, “rope is a general term and a description of the raw material, while a line is what you make from a rope.” So, I guess once it has a purpose, it’s a line.
We removed most of the lines from Katana rather than leaving them onboard over the winter. We figured a nice, dry apartment would help to keep them in better shape. Additionally we plan to clean some of them before storing. Washing them in a mixture of Tide and fabric softener is what was recommended by Katana’s PO David. It’ll be something to keep us busy next week.
I once read that you should put your lines in a washing machine on a low temperature setting to remove the salt, but without using any washing powder or fabric conditioner, which, apparently, causes damage the fibres. I don’t know if this is true or not but it might be worth asking the question on one of the boaty discussion forums. If you do I’d be interested to know what responses you get.
From New England ropes website:
http://www.neropes.com/LineCare.aspx
“Dirt and salt can cause premature wear. Frequently wash rope and running rigging with fresh water. For a more thorough cleaning, soak your rope in warm water mixed with a mild detergent. Add a small amount of fabric softener to soften the rope. When possible, use a front loading washing machine; otherwise, wash your rope in a mesh bag or pillowcase to avoid tangling. Rinse thoroughly and hang to dry in indirect sunlight.”
Since we don’t have salt water on the Great Lakes, we don’t have to worry about that! I wash my lines one at a time in a 5 gallon bucket. I use VERY LITTLE detergent, and vinegar in lieu of fabric softener. Even though it’s a mild acid, it’s so dilute in the water that I don’t think it’s harmed my lines. I have some 20 year old running rigging that still looks new! Fabric softener seemed to me, the one time I used it, to attract dirt. I probably didn’t get it all rinsed out. the lines felt sticky and got dirty really fast, so I didn’t do that again! Vinegar leaves them soft and not sticky.
Thanks for the link. From the horses mouth, so to speak.
So do you miss living aboard yet, or are you getting soft?
Soft. Hollywood showers and microwave ovens. I have even ALMOST reverted to letting the water run while I am brushing my teeth!
That’s outrageous! Turn that tap off! 😉
Be very careful washing lines! there have been numerous reports of this ruining new lines, as noted in “good ol boat” magazine. It can cause the core to come right out through the cover!
I would use a bucket rather than a machine. I have had some lines damaged in a machine.
I considermyself fairly expereienced in this matter; as a long-time mountaineer I launder ropes several times peryear, primarily to renew the water repellant coating for ice climbing use inthe winter. But climbing ropes are different, with a much tighter weave.
Thanks Drew. I could see how a washing machine could cause problems. Our plan was to just wash them by hand in the bathtub.