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Dyneema as stainless rope replacement on davit

  • Thread starter Thread starter oceanjake
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oceanjake

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  1. OWNER - I own a Hatteras Yacht
Hatteras Model
60' CONV -Series I (1978 - 1986)
Has anyone here done this? Is there any concern about weather exposure or rot for the exposed braid ? What is the best connection for the davit hook and winch drum?I need to replace my wire rope and I like the idea of braid. It will be quieter, especially as it jumps over itself on the drum. I hate that sound. Thanks for the info.
 
I use it on my davit and it is wonderful. It is supposed to be UV protected, but we had some on our sailboat fail in the South Pacific from long sun exposure so I keep my davit covered just in case. We spliced on the hook and I used line with about the same diameter as the old wire so it attached to the drum in the same slot as the old wire and I leave quite a few wraps on the drum at all times. If you get the larger diameter to fit the drum slot you end up with line so strong you can probably lift the mothership with it but the larger diameter is not a lot more in price than the smaller.
 
How do you secure it to the drum? Most have a hole and set screw that clamps the cable
 
Scarlett said:
I use it on my davit and it is wonderful. It is supposed to be UV protected, but we had some on our sailboat fail in the South Pacific from long sun exposure so I keep my davit covered just in case. We spliced on the hook and I used line with about the same diameter as the old wire so it attached to the drum in the same slot as the old wire and I leave quite a few wraps on the drum at all times. If you get the larger diameter to fit the drum slot you end up with line so strong you can probably lift the mothership with it but the larger diameter is not a lot more in price than the smaller.
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Just a heads up on the "quite a few wraps" comment: Due to leverage every wrap around the drum will reduce the lifting power. I only have one more wrap than I need.
 
We recently repacked the SS with Dynema on the Nautical Structure David on the boat I run. Much better it s an hydraulic David though so the line is always inside the unit. Dyneema should be reasonably UV resistant but I would use a cover on the winch anyway
 
The power davit I bought through the for sale section here was rebuilt for the previous owner by MarQuipt with Dyneema cabling for the hydraulic hoist. We’ve used it for a year now with no complaints. It’s nice to be able to grab the cable barehanded without worrying about getting hooked! There is about a six inch section that is not inside the boom when stowed, I ll need to keep an eye on it and be prepared to shorten it if needed.
 
I have Amsteel on mine. Looks like this is similar stuff.
 
Where are you guys sourcing the rope from? And what diameter are you using?
 
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We have used it for the past 8 years on our crane. Wonderful stuff, easy on the hands and very strong. Our which came with 1/4" wire rope. I switched it out almost immediately for Dyneema 5/16". It is east to splice a loop in the end, Youtube it.

Keith
Lady J
 
Thank you for the feedback. Sounds like I’m not crazy for wanting to use this stuff. My winch is internal so only the last couple of feet are exposed where it runs to the deck to secure the davit. I will sheath that section with something to prevent direct sun exposure. Regarding attachment at the drum, a set screw/clamp type of connection doesn’t seem like it would work the same on this material. That is why I assumed some sort of splice. But if that is the recommendation I will give it a shot. No little crush thimble on the end or anything to clamp down onto?
 
Splicing dyneema is about as easy as it gets.
 
One last question. I have 5/16” stainless cable now. I cannot locate 5/16” dyneema locally but 1/4” is readily available. I need to lift a whaler that weighs just south of 1100lbs fully loaded. The 1/4” dyneema is rated at 9700lbs so that’s a no brainer but it seems crazy to trust all of that to just 1/4” rope. Too good to be true? Would you trust this rating?
 
oceanjake said:
One last question. I have 5/16” stainless cable now. I cannot locate 5/16” dyneema locally but 1/4” is readily available. I need to lift a whaler that weighs just south of 1100lbs fully loaded. The 1/4” dyneema is rated at 9700lbs so that’s a no brainer but it seems crazy to trust all of that to just 1/4” rope. Too good to be true? Would you trust this rating?
Click to expand...

I couldn't believe it either, but I've been doing it for 3 years now.
 
Ok...75’ of 1/4” synthetic rope going on. $1.49/ft before my port supply discount. Seems like the dirt cheap upgrade of the century. Now I need to watch some YouTube videos on creating eye splices around thimbles. I’m hoping to not have to serve this...I’ve never used the rigging floss.
 
Again how do you secure it to the winch drum?
 
rsmith said:
Again how do you secure it to the winch drum?
Click to expand...
I use Dyneema on most of the davits that I have been building for the last 5 years. I have never had a problem. It's definitely easier on the hands and since it doesn't stretch it doesn't store any energy, so if it were to fail you don't need to worry about whiplash. Now, to the question at hand; I attach the line to the winch drum by running it through the cable hole on the drum and then down the length of the drum and holding it in place with one layer of wrap (that's layer, not one wrap). I normally pull the line through the hole by forming a hook with some SS safety wire and piercing the weave. I also manipulate the weave to flatten the line as much as possible as it lays across the drum. The line also tends to flatten once it sees a heavy load on the drum. I also put a generous radius on the entry and exit of the drum hole as well as a nice lead in and out with a die grinder so the line won't be damaged.
 
Well today was the day. Tossed the stainless in the trash and replaced with 1/4” dyneema. It looked thicker than 1/4” until it got a load, now it looks about right. To attach to the drum, I made an eye splice, went around the drum and pulled the main line through it. My reasoning is that if it slipped it would still not be able to pay all the way off the drum. I do have plenty of rope on the drum so most of it will never see sunlight. Lifting the heavy whaler onto my bow was MUCH better for my sanity. The creaks and pops that the stainless rope made on the drum as it jumped over itself are gone. Also the roller on the end is quieter too. Couldn’t be happier!
 
You could keep a UV protectant like 303 on the exposed section of the Dyneema.
 
Protect the line with a sheath or cover. Uv protectant may cause other issues.
 
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