Measured against the values that they have to hold for months, mooring lines are given far too little attention
Anyone looking for new mooring lines is faced with an almost unmanageable variety. But which line is the right choice, and what can withstand the constant stress caused by edges, fittings, wind pressure and swell the longest? 29 mooring ropes tested
For more than a third of the year, namely about 160 days, the fate of the yacht depends solely on the mooring lines. If you make the most of the season from Easter to mid-October, go on a holiday cruise for a total of four weeks and sail every possible weekend, you can still leave the ship unattended at the jetty for 112 days. On the remaining 48 days - during the summer cruise and the night hours on the weekends - at least the crew is on board.
The cordage is one of the most important pieces of equipment on board, even if it is seldom seen in this way. But which rope can you entrust the yacht to?
The leash must have a high breaking load, stretch a lot and, above all, be abrasion-resistant. But it should also be easy to shoot and age slowly as possible - all together high requirements.
You can read in the current issue which of the 29 lines available in Germany masters the test best and what the advantages and disadvantages of the individual constructions are.
Yacht 13/2010 is available from June 9th at the kiosk.