To help ensure practical and safe sailing, it’s important to choose the right type of rope for each function on the boat. Sailing is dangerous if done incorrectly. So, remember to pay attention to safety in all aspects – including the ropes on board.
Types of cordage
Cordage on board a boat can be roughly divided into two types: laid rope and braided rope.
- Laid rope – a three-stranded rope used for moorings, anchor ropes, and similar. The most common type of boat rope.
- Braided rope – used for sheets, halyards, and cables.
There are many different types of boat cordage, and you will find most of them on the shelves of Biltema’s stores. On boats and dinghies, ropes are used for the following functions:
- Sheets and halyards for sailboats
- Anchor ropes
- Fender lines
- Mooring ropes
- Ropes for buckets, nets, traps, and other equipment on board
Regardless of the type of cordage, you should choose ropes or lines that are specifically designed for the purpose. If the cordage is used for safety functions such as anchoring and mooring, it is especially important that you choose the right product.
Cordage structure
The cordage in Biltema’s range is made of braided fibres and is available in different materials depending on function and where it will be used. A sheet, for example, has an exterior braided sheath that makes it more durable and ‘runs/slides’ more easily through the blocks on board the boat. For other functions, a lanyard is preferable. You should choose a leaded anchor rope for its sinking capacity. Browse the cordage on this page or find the rope or line you need in our categories.
Inspecting cordage
Salt water, general use, and UV radiation wear down the cordage. Here are the biggest culprits and reasons to buy new cordage:
- Bleached rope after many years of exposure to UV radiation.
- Twisted and stiff ropes are difficult to straighten when they have been pulled with high tensile strength.
- Reduced tensile strength that is evident.
- Worn ends. Ropes should not fray, and all ends should be checked every year, as well as all cordage.
- The sheet is woolly and a little too soft and the sheath can move independently of the core.
- Altered diameter of the rope, which can either clump together or indicate that the core is damaged.
- Other reasons.
This wear and tear requires continuous inspection for safety reasons.
Tips for cordage maintenance
- Rope ends must be protected from fraying – to do so, you can burn the end of the rope with a lighter. You can also use horsehair yarn to tie the rope end to prevent it from fraying.
- Store cordage in a dark and well-ventilated area – Make sure the cordage is completely dry before you store it.
- Rinse off salt water and dirt – during the sailing season, you can also wash the ropes with a mild detergent such as soap and cold water.
Come and explore our wide range of cordage for your boat or whatever other purpose you need it for.
