A bit ropey, what on earth happens to all the cordage on a boat?

It never ceases to amaze me, ropes and their life aboard a boat, discounting the ones specific to yachts (sheets), I am talking about your day to day ropes for tying up the boat or for when anchoring. Is there a parallel universe where all the ropes on board are taken too?

How is it possible that every single year new ropes are put on board ready for the season and guaranteed at the end of every season there's not a single rope on board? Quality ropes are not cheap, if well cared for they can last for a very long time. Different rope types have different uses on boat, lets take a look at what ropes are used for different purposes.

A short video on ropemaking

Types of ropes

You can break down ropes into two categories, braided and stranded. The braided lines have a nice outer jacket or shield, they are smooth to handle but more tricky to splice. Stranded ropes are usually made of 3, 4 or 8 (anchor warp or octoplait) strands, the typical ropes you see around the docks. Photo below (L-R), 3 strand, braided and 8 plat anchor warp.

L-R 3 Strand, braided, 8 plat anchor warp

General purpose

Nylon is preferred for it´s abrasion resistance and elasticity. Polyester is a second choice of material, it´s not as elastic as or as abrasion resistant. I would advise against polypropylene for general cordage, as once it´s stretched it doesn't not easily return to it´s original size, it does however float. I would also not use natural fiber ropes such as jute or manila cords, they look great for decoration but have been replaced by man made fibers.

Ski ropes and tube towing lines

These are specialty types of ropes or lines, these ropes have been pre stretched, that is they now have no more give in them so they are not elastic, they float and often have other special elements such as the handles on ski lines are attached to a separate shorter line so that they can be changed over for different skiers. Ski lines will have an eye already spliced into them so they can be hooked onto the ski eye or ski pole on the tow boat. Unless a very old rope, most ski lines will be bright colors to make them much easier to see.

Tubing lines for towing donuts and hot dogs are similar to ski lines but generally thicker, sometimes considerably so, when you buy them the better quality ones will indicate how much strain the rope is designed for and maybe a recommendation of the type of toy it´s designed to tow, although made of pre stretched cord, many of the tow lines have rubber “snubbers” integrated into the line, it´s like a sort of shock absorber designed to take out some of the “snap” when the line goes taught and pulls you along.

Lifesaving equipment lines

Usually orange/red o yellow in color and they float. You can buy these lines by length required or precut, on the precut lifeline ropes, I would seek out the type that is fitted in a weighted sack, it makes them much easier for throwing and storing them is so much easier.

Lead filled rope

A braided kind of rope with a lead chain or series of small lead weights fitted to the inner core. Very useful for using as an anchor line on small dinghies or tenders.

Rope Care

Other than the aforementioned not losing them every year, just keep the nicely coiled, if they start to go hard or don´t coil up as well as before, the easiest thing to do is to immerse them in warm water to help dissolve the salt build up, then add some washing detergent, the same kind you would use for hand washing delicate clothing, leave them to soak, rinse and dry, you would be surprised at how supple they become again.

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