- *Messages sorted by:* [ date ]<http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/private/montgomery_boats/2014-February/date.html#33266> [ thread ]<http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/private/montgomery_boats/2014-February/thread.html#33266> [ subject ]<http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/private/montgomery_boats/2014-February/subject.html#33266> [ author ]<http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/private/montgomery_boats/2014-February/author.html#33266> ------------------------------ *Just heard of "dyneema". Sounds good. Is it core on core? How is it made up into an eye or spliced onto a fitting? I have heard that being an engineered fiber it is susceptible to chafe and subsequent loss of strength.* Hi Tom, Dyneema is really cool stuff. It has the same breaking strength as wire of the same diameter (2200 lb for 1/8") but is so light it floats. Like wire, it has practically no stretch. It is being used to replace wire hawsers on commercial fishing boats and tug boats. I don't think chafe is a particular concern as it is also used to replace wire cable in commercial logging operations with big machines dragging huge logs over the ground. Google "dyneema" and "Amsteel" for some amazing videos about its applications. Dyneema is a brand name of the fiber, Amsteel is a brand name for dyneema rope made by Samson. It is an uncored hollow single braid that is the easiest of all lines to splice. Splices are almost a necessity since it is so slippery it does not hold knots well. I splice a thimble into both ends of the stays but for other uses I make a longer splice that can be "luggage tagged" to any fitting. Go to the Samson web site for splicing information and lots of other cool information. I have been using Amsteel Blue (it comes in several different colors despite its name) for my backstay, running backstays, outhaul, vang, jib and staysail tack downhauls, etc. on Chiquita for several years with no problems. These are all "dynamic" lines that are easily adjusted under way. Because of a characteristic called "creep" regular dyneema is not recommended for "static" lines such as the shrouds and forestays on a boat. There is a version (Dynex Dux) specifically made for those applications but it is much more expensive. Reddenmarine.com has great prices on Dyneema Blue. -- Henry https://picasaweb.google.com/heinzir