Does climbing rope work for mooring??

Brian Dinsley · 27 May 2008, 16:32

Can anyone tell me whether climbing ropes would work for mooring??

I have a 9mm and an 11 mm rope that haven't seen a crag in a good while. In fact, while looking to be in perfect condition, they are over 10 years old and so they're past retirement age anyway. I figure a couple of lengths of 9mm could be just the job. Smashin blue colour too!

Anyone know any downsides to using dynamic climbing ropes?

Cheers,,,,, Brian

BogMonster · 27 May 2008, 16:43

Is it stretchy or "dead" (no stretch)?

The Dyneema synthetic rope I use on my Land Rover winch (which I think is related to some stuff used for yacht racing and climbing) is very light and very strong but it is completely dead and if used for something like mooring, would probably break something on the boat if any kind of weather started bouncing things around because there is absolutely no give in it at all. That's exactly what you need for winching but not what you want for mooring or towing a boat.

Limey Linda · 27 May 2008, 16:47

I think all climbing rope is stretchy otherwise it would cut you in two if you fall. It should be fine. If in doubt add a snubber. I use dead polyester for mooring and anchor warp, as I have about 1000 m. of it and it was free it also stows very easily. However, I do add a snubber for mooring and lot's of chain on the anchor.

captnjack · 27 May 2008, 16:59

I use 11mm for all sorts of stuff. It makes great mooring lines although can actually be too stretchy if your boat is large. I had a 20,000lb trawler and the 2x 50ft 11mm mooring lines were a bit too spongy for our local locks. RIBs, being smaller and lighter, are prefect for 9 to 11mm. My current anchor line is 200ft of 3/8" twisted nylon extended with 150ft of 9mm climbing line. (It takes alot to anchor in 100+ft of water on a dive site).

BruceB · 27 May 2008, 17:08

I have used 11mm climbing ropes for years, much easier to handle and tie off than 3 strand rope.

CJL · 27 May 2008, 18:08

I use climbing rope all over my boat - somebody found me a spare Kilometer of black unused climbing rope that was out of date!!

Downside is;

its hard to cut and seal properly, often the inner core comes away from the outer.
it sinks

Upsides are;

It take the shock load off fittings when mooring and towing
Its good for rescue work righting dinghies as again it takes the shock out of taking up the strain.
Its recycling!
Its often free.
It has a soft feel so wont damage tubes like poly prop will do.

Brian Dinsley · 27 May 2008, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogMonster

Is it stretchy or "dead" (no stretch)?

The Dyneema synthetic rope I use on my Land Rover winch (which I think is related to some stuff used for yacht racing and climbing) is very light and very strong but it is completely dead and if used for something like mooring, would probably break something on the boat if any kind of weather started bouncing things around because there is absolutely no give in it at all. That's exactly what you need for winching but not what you want for mooring or towing a boat.

They're both stretchy. I can vouch for the stretchiness of the 9mm,as I took a fairly good leader fall on it around 10 years ago..... much tothe amusement of my climbing buddies.

Thanks for the input guys. The 11 mm one's up for the chop first!

jyasaki · 27 May 2008, 23:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJL

[*]its hard to cut and seal properly, often the inner core comes away from the outer.

Put a couple of wraps of masking tape (or other non-plastic tape, I suppose) on the rope before you cut it. Apply a flame (a candle works, but a torch-type butane lighter, or better yet a propane torch will be much faster), then remove the tape.

You should end up with a heat seal that is the same diameter as the running rope, with no core/sheath separation.

jky