Cleaning of deck lines and halyards?

[Dennis Truett]

I'm trying to refurbish a cd22 that has been stored outside for 7 years. I've stripped the boat & Mast of all lines. These lines are pretty dirty, and in some cases moldy. Does anyone have any recomendations on how to clean them. My present plans are to take then to a laundermat and run them through a washing machine a few times.

Thanks
Dennis Truett CD22 #25



truettdc@frontiernet.net

[chuck yahrling]

I'm trying to refurbish a cd22 that has been stored outside for 7 years. I've stripped the boat & Mast of all lines. These lines are pretty dirty, and in some cases moldy. Does anyone have any recomendations on how to clean them. My present plans are to take then to a laundermat and run them through a washing machine a few times.

Thanks
Dennis Truett CD22 #25

Make sure you put them in a cloth or net bag, such as a pillowcase or diver's bug bag. This will keep them from getting tangled around the agitator, which can damage a normal home washing machine. I use a mild liquid detergent. Bleach is not recommended for dacron or nylon but if they're that old, it won't kill them but will get the mold.

If they have lots of salt embedded it wouldn't hurt to run them through a rinse cycle first, letting them soak overnight before spinning dry and running a second wash cycle with detergent.



yahrling@cybertours.com

[Steve Alarcon]

Dennis,

I would do (and have done) exactly as Chuck suggests. One additional piece of advice is that fabric softener helps those lines that are very stiff after years of sun and salt.

Steve Alarcon
CD30 Temerity
Seattle



alarcon@internetmci.com

[sam]

a line that has sat outside for 7 years has had a lot of UV exposure. While dacron holds up better than nylon, it still will deteriorate. Since a broken halyard can ruin your day, I would toss the halyard and buy a new one. Maybe keep the sheets- if they break while you are sailing, at least you won't have to climb the mast to replace it!

[Don Sargeant]

a line that has sat outside for 7 years has had a lot of UV exposure. While dacron holds up better than nylon, it still will deteriorate. Since a broken halyard can ruin your day, I would toss the halyard and buy a new one. Maybe keep the sheets- if they break while you are sailing, at least you won't have to climb the mast to replace it!

An excellent comment, Sam. I used an old (very old) piece of 3/4" nylon together with some nice old blocks to lift a set of stairs I'd hinged in my barn. While celebrating, with a pint of Guiness, how my scheme worked the whole thing came crashing down. The line had snapped as if it had been cut. 3/4" with 4:1 was plenty to hold the weight but old nylon is just plain dangerous!

[Lois Flanagan]

a line that has sat outside for 7 years has had a lot of UV exposure. While dacron holds up better than nylon, it still will deteriorate. Since a broken halyard can ruin your day, I would toss the halyard and buy a new one. Maybe keep the sheets- if they break while you are sailing, at least you won't have to climb the mast to replace it!

An excellent comment, Sam. I used an old (very old) piece of 3/4" nylon together with some nice old blocks to lift a set of stairs I'd hinged in my barn. While celebrating, with a pint of Guiness, how my scheme worked the whole thing came crashing down. The line had snapped as if it had been cut. 3/4" with 4:1 was plenty to hold the weight but old nylon is just plain dangerous!

I always wash mine in the clothes washer with Tide, or Wisk.



loisflanagan@alltel.net