From the old Regal forum, there were several threads regarding the anchor-windlass jamming problem on the 3560/3760. I've maintained that the problem is due to the shallow anchor locker. Others believed the problem is the Lewmar windlass.
Today, I'm reading an article in Boat Digest that talks about 8-Plait line --"a tighter weave that resists kinking and coils much more easily."
A recent document from Lewmar touting the virtues of 8-plait lists the following advantages:
В· 8-Plaited nylon rope eliminates some of the service problems associated with the 3-strand ropes. 8-Plait uses 8-individual braided strands woven together that allow the rope to be relaxed. But, when under load, it tightens up to a firm lay. The higher the load the harder the lay becomes.
В· 8-Plait carries the same tensile strength as 3-Strand.
В· 8-Plait does not coil or create a "birds nest" in the locker like 3-Strand will. 8-Plait flakes and falls upon itself.
В· 8-Plait will not twist and knot up.
В· 8-Plait will not loop over onto itself.
В· 8-Plait has less stretch so it will not bury itself deep into the gypsy's grip when overloaded, which means less damage to the stripper when the windlass is abused or overloaded.
В· 8-Plait pays off of the windlass into the locker much like chain, allowing for better use of smaller locker designs.
В· 8-Plait is 80% less prone to becoming stiff when used in salt water than 3-Strand.
В· 8-Plait nylon rope is 1/3 more absorbent than 3-Strand rope. More absorbent means more weight; more weight means better fall into the anchor locker.
В· 8-Plait should be soaked in water (salt or fresh - it does not matter) to pre-lubricate the rope so it can be used in the windlass initially. When rope is used dry and new, we have seen either slippage or sticking in the rope pocket of the gypsy. Once the rope is wet and used, it out performs the 3-Strand. The longer it is used the better it gets.
What do you think?
Today, I'm reading an article in Boat Digest that talks about 8-Plait line --"a tighter weave that resists kinking and coils much more easily."
A recent document from Lewmar touting the virtues of 8-plait lists the following advantages:
В· 8-Plaited nylon rope eliminates some of the service problems associated with the 3-strand ropes. 8-Plait uses 8-individual braided strands woven together that allow the rope to be relaxed. But, when under load, it tightens up to a firm lay. The higher the load the harder the lay becomes.
В· 8-Plait carries the same tensile strength as 3-Strand.
В· 8-Plait does not coil or create a "birds nest" in the locker like 3-Strand will. 8-Plait flakes and falls upon itself.
В· 8-Plait will not twist and knot up.
В· 8-Plait will not loop over onto itself.
В· 8-Plait has less stretch so it will not bury itself deep into the gypsy's grip when overloaded, which means less damage to the stripper when the windlass is abused or overloaded.
В· 8-Plait pays off of the windlass into the locker much like chain, allowing for better use of smaller locker designs.
В· 8-Plait is 80% less prone to becoming stiff when used in salt water than 3-Strand.
В· 8-Plait nylon rope is 1/3 more absorbent than 3-Strand rope. More absorbent means more weight; more weight means better fall into the anchor locker.
В· 8-Plait should be soaked in water (salt or fresh - it does not matter) to pre-lubricate the rope so it can be used in the windlass initially. When rope is used dry and new, we have seen either slippage or sticking in the rope pocket of the gypsy. Once the rope is wet and used, it out performs the 3-Strand. The longer it is used the better it gets.
What do you think?
