Hi Tami,

thanks for tip. I did a quick goole research. It seems that the smallest diameter for Dux is 7mm at the moment. For a beach cat 3mm to 5mm would be a typical range with breaking loads of about 500kg to 1200kg. I guess that the beachcat and dinghi community has still to wait a while.

Cheers,

Klaus

Does anyone have photos of a typical application?

Hi Klaus,

IIRC my Square rigging is something like 4.5-5mm, and I thought it was Dux, but maybe I'm wrong there. In any case Erik Précourt built it. www.precourt.ca, see what he might have to say

edit: see below reference to Hampidjan's Dynex 75 which is in smaller diametres. You can compare it to the Dux, anyway. I guess my rigging is in this stuff.
http://hampidjan.is/media/pdf/Dynex_75_slittafla_april_2006.pdf

Edit #2: here's the page for Dux
http://hampidjan.is/media/pdf/002_Dynex_75Duxslittaflaagu02.pdf

In comparing the two, it appears that Dux is prestretched and Dynex 75 isn't?

Dynex is a normal SK75 spectra product. Dux is a version that has been pre-stretched under a proprietary heat process that aligns the fiber's and gives it the low creep characteristics. Dux comes in 7mm, 9mm, 11mm etc. Nothing smaller at this time. FWIW, we (layline.com) are a DUX retailer and distributor for Hampidjan

I'm in the process of replacing all of the standing rigging on my R33 and converting it to a canting rig using Dux 7mm.

I've already replaced the trap wires on my A-cat with 2mm Dynex (rated at 800kg). It's scary thin...

Mike, are you using rope block with the trap adjustment? If you did, would the texture be prone to slip through the block under load? I am using Amsteel, I haven't sailed with it yet but I am concerned with the waxy feel.

Eric,

I don't have adjusters on my trap lines. I use a dogbone for high and low positions.

You'll want something covered for the trap adjustment lines (excel racing or spyderline). The amsteel will slip in the cleat (when you least expect it)

It will slip. Been there...a-done that.

2mm!?

si...

gotcha, good call.

I use amsteel for the trap wires, both ends are spliced, with a small shackle top &bottom, and then Marlow excel racing for the adjustment part of the setup, its worked great for 4 years and the boat sits on the beach for most of the year mast up.

Hi Klaus,

been doing some reading and apparently the new shiz is Dyneema's SK78. Google 'Dyneema sk78'

and in looking I did find an IEEE paper, reporting on analysis of various yarns and their creep, including data on sk78. (couldn't access the paper, have to be signed in to download the PDF.)

DSM Dyneema doesn't seem to publish data. All I found at the DSM website was very pretty advertising with slick photos.

Hi Tami,
The link to vendor's zylon site is http://www.toyobo.co.jp/e/seihin/kc/pbo/menu/fra_menu_en.htm
If mechanical properties were the only factor, Zylon or carbon non woven cables would be the winners. But carbon is fragile and Zylon is afraid to come out into the sunlight. Also if you have parallel (non-woven) strands of fiber it's almost impossible to devise a way to ensure they are loaded equally. There is at least one company making non woven carbon standing rigging but it looks incredibaly expensive and wouldn't work for trailer sailors.
I use the Precourt dead eyes for standing rigging including diamond stays on my trimaran. I experimented once with kevlar diamond stays for my Tornado. I took a 10 lb spool of kevlar tow and made about 20 wraps around the spreadres, mast hound, and a mast base adjusting turnbuckle. I wetted the fiber with epoxy and loaded the rig up while it cured. Then I primed it and painted with the same awlgrip used on the mast. Not too scientific but it worked great for three years. I'm guessing it was about 3mm in diameter.

Kevin

Here's an article that is a bit dated but relevant, from the Hampidjan site. I liked the way he describes the fibre alignment issue, suggesting it might take a season to stabilize:

http://www.hampidjan.is/Products/YachtRigging/

I'm going back to hemp.

It's the only thing that might actually biodegrade in less than two millenia (if it's not smoked by some teenager before then)...

aaaaaarrrrr!

Any updates on this? Has anyone new tried textile standing rigging?

I've got one busted wire on one of my shrouds which I've deliberately overlooked, but after seeing a buddy's shroud pop this weekend I think I'm going to replace both of mine. I've got public mast up storage though and I think that pushes the scales towards the more conventional steel.

I think I will try replacing one of my sets of traplines with dyneema, though, over the winter and see how I like it.

Klaus did try it stated he ended up having to tighten his stays ever time he went out... (on page 1)

but i think that was before the sk-78 came out.
I to plan to use dyneema trap lines next time.. but i have been warned about chafing on the mast area... so i think i will make steel pigtails for up there..

the new

Wouldn't that defeat the point of the line,reducing weight aloft? Or are you going for the look? On my A I used a piece of braided line cover over the line where chafe would be a problem.

haha, no my goal is not the "look". Though that is a good point. My goal would be to save money and be able to splice and hang this myself (as apposed to having it made at a cost for me at my local shop). That being said.. i think it will be a while before my steel trapwires need replacing . . .


Did the braided jacket hold up? i have been using Robline dingy control line (dyneema 75 with a jacket) and i love the line, but it didn't hold up so well to chaffing.

We have run 3mm dynemaa lines for or traezes "forever". Chafe was not an issue for us, the lines lasted several years.

What Rolf said, No problems.