Hemp Rope

[nautiguy]

I need to change some of my running rigging. I came across hemp rope at RW Rope Warehouse that is relatively inexpensive and very low stretch. The sheets and halyards that I am replacing are synthetic lines with a classic look. That line from RW is about twice the price as the hemp.

What major drawbacks will I run into? Rot? Stiffness? I want to continue to use 3-strand rather than braided if I can keep the stretch to a minimum.

Any and all suggestions will be appreciated.

[SchoonerRat]

I would avoid the hemp. The natural fiber requires significant care to maintain its usable lifespan, which at best is far less than synthetic rope. Mold and rot are probably the worst enemy that hemp has, but hemp is also stiffer, weaker, and harder on your hands than synthetic rope. Unless you are a serious traditionalist, it's best to keep the hemp in your pipe, and apply liberal amounts of heat to it!

[Dave Davis]

We just bought a couple hundred feet of R&W's "Posh" (a synthetic three strand) to redo the running rigging on our gaff rigged cat and can vouch for its quality. The hand is far nicer than most, it splices great, and the stretch doesn't seem to be too bad for three strand. Comes white or hemp colored, both the same otherwise.

They're great folks over there, and the place is a rigger's "Toys R Us".

[Thorne]

I'm using a mix of R&W's hemp 3-strand and their Hempex 3-strand for running rigging, halyards, reefing lines, reef nettles, etc. The main difference between hemp and Hempex that I (and others) have noticed is a distinct barnyard odor from the hemp when wet, and a softer hand on the Hempex.

I replaced my mainsheet with some of the brown-colored Posh and it is very nice!

[Woxbox]

Nautiguy - What boat are we talking about? For a small traditional boat that's kept in a garage, hemp will serve well enough. But if the boat lives outdoors, you'll regret using it. Either way, it will toughen your hands, and I beleive "low stretch" is a very relative term here. It will stretch under load and shrink when it gets wet.

[nautiguy]

Looks like the consensus is for the synthetic. I like the idea of the hemp colored Hempex for a boat of this vintage (1943).

Wobox, Sans Souci is a Block Island Cowhorn that is certainly not going to live in a shed. In fact we are fitting out for an extended voyage that will eventually take us into New England.

Here is photo of her at rest. http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg5/normharris/Sans%20Souci/PortBow.jpg

[Thorne]

There are other faux-hemp products better than Hempex -- I use it cause I'm a cheap bastiche. Hempex was the first faux-hemp, but some of the newer products probably wear better, no personal experience with any of 'em.

Bob Smalser has recommended Leoflex-X from Amercian Rope & Tar -
http://www.tarsmell.com/Images/leoflex-x.jpg
http://www.tarsmell.com/leoflex-x.html

[Mrleft8]

Nice looking boat.... Did you buy that red paint at the same place that Jaime (SV Airlie) got his? ;)

[Paul Pless]

Hey NautiGuy, how 'bout some more pictures of your boat, she's a beauty!

[Dan McCosh]

How about growing your own?

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

"Faux" hemp turns grey just like the white stuff in a couple of years, if it is Dacron, and if it is polypropylene it falls apart.

Better with the real stuff, but you have to re-learn:

* no half hitches on cleats

+ slack off lines at night and when leaving the boat, to avoid stretch due to the dew.

^ turn end for end after one season, discard at the end of the second season.

[Canoeyawl]

I am suspicious of any “Hemp” rope available today. Most of what I see seems to actually be Sisal, which in my opinion is junk for use on a boat. Not bad for truck rope though - unless it gets wet, then you need to wear gloves and use a hatchet to loosen it.
Because of Hemp’s poor rot resistance it was tarred for use on shipboard and Manila line was soon the rope of choice with less maintenance and better rot resistance than hemp.
Special laid cotton line was a preferred sheet line for yachts even up into the fifties because of its ease on the hands and I suspect linen line would also be very nice. Four strand seems to have been common for running rigging on yachts and is a better choice but is simply not available today.
For standing rigging natural fiber line should be regarded with a wary eye as it will radically change length with different moisture content and become over taught when wet (perhaps stressing a hull) and dangerously loose when dry.
Either way “Hemp” is suspicious and Sisal is the bottom of the barrel in my opinion.

(see - The Ashley Book of Knots)

[Thorne]

Jake -

I'd be surprised if the rope that R&W and other suppliers are selling as hemp is anything other than the real thing, as it is quite the hip material these daze...but other sellers may be less careful.

But for standing rigging it would sure be less than optimal, as few folks remember the drill for loosening and tightening based on dampness and weather.

Didn't know that about Manila, very interesting. Does tar also give some UV protection?

Don't forget my spritboom for the Gunkholing trip, old chum, as I'm relying on it as a backup if I break the gaff jaws on the new one.

[Canoeyawl]

R&W does sell the real deal, but most suppliers are selling sisal or manilla or some blend of lesser fibers as "hemp" (there are different grades of hemp fibers)
It is not grown in this country so must be imported via other countries. With the corresponding exchange rate being expensive... The real stuff is pretty much like long fine hair and rarely seen. It has good strength but very low rot resistance.

[Jay Greer]

One thing I will say about hemp is that working it for splicing and fancy work is pure joy. Hemp will scrape taper like no other fiber and hold its shape when done up for beckets and other decorative work.
Jay

[elad]

I buy my tarred hemp rope from Hardanger Fartoyver Senter in Norway. http://www.fartoyvern.no/side.asp?kat=866&id=3564&sp=2
They make it to order and will make the rope and tar it as you like such as "3 strand boltrope lay, lightly tarred". So far I am happy with it. As a boltrope though, it will tend to stain the sail.

Dale

[elad]

Another source for hemp line is Langman in the Netherlands.
http://www.langmanrope.com/langman-en/home

[Thorne]

They are also the makers, or at least resellers, of most of the faux-hemp products -- quite a lineup!

http://www.langmanrope.com/langman-en/products/rope_by_material/synthetic_rope_with_natural_look

[nautiguy]

It looks like the consensus is for synthetic line. I'm okay with that.

Thorne, does American Rope and Tar have a retail outlet in the Sacramento area?

Paul, I have more pics that I will post. Unfortunately I have few that show her rigged and under sail. I will post all that I have and let you know.

Norm

[Bob Smalser]

While the Leoflex I bought is a poly, I find after 5 years it holds up very well to UV. Plus it's relatively inexpensive and easy to splice. I'm sure there have been a lot of improvements to poly above the clothesline grade usually found. But it is plastic and may not be your cup of tea. It doesn't feel good in the hands compared to natural. You might get a small quantity to try out first.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/7711190/101447339.jpg

[S B]

How about growing your own?
Why not ask the old hippies,in B.C. to send you the shake, they're into recycling, organic man.:D

[Thorne]

Natuiguy -

Local Retail?? How 19th Century! ;0 )

Check out their website http://www.rwrope.com/traditional_rigging/rope_for_Running_Rigging.htm, then call to place your order -- remember they are three hours ahead of Left Coast time.

Mention the WB Forum when you call, tell them you got the recommendation here.

I found them to be really upfront, good about returns (usually not possible with cut rope) and they even discouraged my planned purchase of Polytex, saying that it was probably a bit plastic-looking for my boat....

[nautiguy]

Thorne,

Even at the risk of seeming to be a neanderthal :D, I like to touch what I buy when I can. I'm thinking that since American Rope and Tar is in the Sacramento area and you suggested them, maybe you know if they have retail space. Sort of like Smith & Co does here in the Bay area.

BTW, I do some business with RW Rope Warehouse and like them a lot.

[Thorne]

Ooops, got my vendors mixed up. Don't know about American Rope and Tar having a storefront, but it would be worth a call to find out.
8115 River Front
Fair Oaks, CA 95628 USA
Phone: 877-965-1800

http://www.tarsmell.com/Images/billy.jpg