Paraloc

[RoyB]

I saw a mention of Paraloc on another forum today.
Looks like a very interesting new rope technology.

Has anyone used it yet? There are some interesting comments on the APS website about it's use and termination. It appears that they recommend using a small length of dyneema or vectran single braid on the end for forming an eye splice. Any thoughts on what special considerations there might be for doing this?

[Jack]

Roy, it looks like they are dealing with a special "blend" of rope materials to deal with some of the very slippery character of Dunex ropes. I do not have any clutches myself, but I believe that is the place were they are coming up with a number of tricks to help the clutch get a hold on the line. Jackets sewn over, liquid goo painted on, a short piece of core, and any other new methods are at the design stage. The stuff is so strong and can be used in such small diameters, but you have to make it user friendly on the hands and figure out how to make it fast.
There are some photos here of some things I am trying on my own boat. I use 3/16" Dynex Halyards. I built up the tail in two different ways so we could haul the sail by hand before getting a load on it. I took the core out of a used halyard and buried the smaller Dux inside. This works well on the hands, and was easy to do. I just had to make sure I had the cover in the right place.
Another method I like better so far, I too smaller SK-60 Dynex and buried it inside the 3/16" stuff to build it up to a fatter diameter on the tail end of the halyard. This is very light and will not absorb any water.
In the photo's you will see a "soft hank/shackle" I am trying out also. On varios parts of the boat. The stuff is so slick, you can use it in place of blocks I find on some lower load situations.

http://s30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ner/?start=all

I realize in some of the applications I will need to add chaff tube or something, but these are all new trials and ideas. I am throwing these on, and seeing waht chaffs, breaks, fails etc. So far so good...... I also implemented a soft shackle idea on the end of the head sail halyard. I spliced it right into the halyard. I have eliminated a metal shackle, and have the end available to attach to pretty much anything. So far so good. It is fun to try new things, it does not take much rope, and I believe we have many things to re-discover in the new world of synthetics. There are things from the "old days" that can be re-incorporated again that I look fwd. to finding.