Control Your Boat With the Best Sail Boat Ropes

Buyer’s Guide to Finding a Sail Boat Rope

Sail boat rope has a variety of uses – not just when you’re out on the water. Each rope offers something different from the one that came before. In fact, there is no one rope that is recommended for universal use. Before looking for sail rope we recommend compiling a list of all the tasks you need the rope for. Whether you are a beginner or intermediate sailor it would be wise to see what new products are on the market, and whether or not they will suit your needs.

Why Do I Need a Sail Boat Rope?

A sail boat rope comes in handy in all sorts of situations, not just when you are on a watercraft. For example, you may need a high-quality rope for any of the following jobs or hobbies.

Flag-flying

Flag flying is one of the most popular alternative uses of sail boat rope. Of course, you can fly flags on many sail boats, but many government buildings and schools use similar ropes to raise and lower the national flags situated on their premises.

Horse-haltering

Because sail boat ropes are so incredibly durable, they can be used to halter and lead a horse. This is because they are both weather-resistant and rarely split. These sail boat ropes are also comfortable in the hand, which is useful when you’re trying to direct a stubborn horse from A to B.

Camping

The best type of ropes to use when camping is undoubtedly polyester ropes. The good news here: most sail boat ropes are made of this very material. Because they offer high abrasion resistance, these ropes are unlikely to break in a hurry. They are also resistant to weather and moisture, which makes them the ideal accessory to bring with you on a camping or hiking trip.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Sail Boat Rope

There are many types of sail rope to choose from. Not all ropes are created equal. There are plenty of things you will need to consider to get the best performance from your rope. Read on to get more advice on what to look for before making your purchase.

Sail boat rope material

Ropes that raise sails are called halyards and ropes that strike them are known as downhauls. For halyards and downhauls, a low stretch material, such as polyester Dyneema and other aramids, is preferred.

The rope portion on the anchor rode is required to stretch in order to absorb shock. In this instance, you will want to buy sail rope made from materials such as nylon.

Cover or no cover

An uncovered rope has a few benefits, mainly the fact that it is generally lighter than a covered rope. It absorbs less water compared to a covered rope which makes it lighter in the long run. These ropes have less friction meaning they are less likely to give friction burns, but this also leads to less control of the rope. An uncovered rope is easier to splice than a covered rope.

However, the covered rope also has its benefits depending on its desired use. If you are looking for a rope to use with winches and jammers, you want a covered rope, which offers the friction necessary. With a protected core, the covered rope is likely to last longer than a rope that has no cover. A covered rope also comes in a greater variety of colors, making the individual ropes more easily identifiable.

Rope size

Many sail enthusiasts will instinctively try and buy the lightest ropes with the greatest strength. This usually means that the individual forgets the importance of the diameter of the rope. Certain winches and rope clutches require a minimum diameter that varies from boat to boat. Buying under the required diameter leads to slipping. The length of the rope is also extremely important. The wrong length rope can lead to men tripping or getting hit by the sail.

Sail Boat Rope Price Range

The price of sail boat rope varies depending on its materials, length, covering, and brand. These ropes can cost as little as $2, but can also cost as much as $1500.  The most expensive rope doesn’t necessarily mean better quality but it would be wise to steer clear of any price that seems too good to be true. Buy from trusted brands with reviews – pay a little extra to do so. Look for the required materials and key feature specifications first and foremost – this is the best way to make an informed decision.

How We Choose the Sail Rope

Our team consists of seasoned sailors who know their ropework. They all have their personal favorite brand or type of material used for each task. Our team members would not recommend anything they would not use themselves. To keep things fresh, they regularly review new designs. We also ask the opinion of customers, professional rope makers, and successful sailing equipment retailers. We have faith in our sailing knowledge and hope you have taken our advice on board.

We go to great lengths to ensure we are providing you with the very best sail boat rope suggestions possible. Why? Because sailing requires precision and concentration. You don’t want to have to contend with a faulty rope while in the middle of the sea. This is the quickest way to end up in a tricky situation, one which could potentially turn dangerous.

As such, you can trust that we have arrived at our opinion after plenty of consideration and deliberation.

Rest assured, the sail boat ropes we have suggested will more than serve you well when you’re out on the water.