of ropes for UV exposure. The plan is to get the rope, test a length while
it's new to establish a baseline, and then repeat the test with another
short length every year for five or more years. Obviously, this won't lead
to instant gratification.
Right now, my plan is to test these ropes:
Technora single braid and with a polyester cover, that is, two ropes,
Dyneema single braid and with a polyester cover, ditto,
Vectran single braid and with a polyester cover, ditto,
Polyester double-braid,
Whatever Erik Precourt wants to test, with the coverings he offers.
One of the single-braid ropes once size smaller than the others.
Right now I'm planning on 3/8" line or 3/8" core.
What line sizes and types would you like to see tested? Please remember that
once I set the lines outside, we won't be adding new lines to the test -
there's no allowance for technology improvement over time here.
Also, I'm not testing end terminations or full-length rigging. This is just
a rope test.
It is my hope that this test will cover the standing and running rigging
which is often left outside. For example, I use some very light-weight line
for certain sheets, and they aren't exposed except when those sails are out
of the sailbag, and so there's no need to include them in this test.
(Remember that F-27 asymmetric spinnaker, used less than two dozen times,
that I've got for sale? Its sheets are one of those sets of lines that don't
need to be included in this test. [EMAIL PROTECTED] if you're interested in
that.)
The lines will be located outdoors in the hills of Colorado, at an altitude
of about 9,000 - thanks to Roger L. That will add a certain factor of safety
to the test, compared to sea level. Or slightly accelerate the test,
depending on your point of view.
Comments invited....
Dave Paule
F-27 Second Chance
==============
> Also, what is the replacement frequency? At Key West two years ago,
> the Samson vendor said that he knew the F-boats were using these for
> shrouds, but recommended change out on an annual basis. Yep, every
> year. Apparently UV degradation was the issue. Anyone taken a two
> year old set and tested them to see what breaking strength was,
> compared to new rating?
>
> Am really quite interested, as I suspect this will come up again, in
> the proposed Class Rule changes for the 28's.
>
> Michael Zotzky
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