Ratlines and Dynex?

[Stumble]

I haven't seen it done, and with modern self ascenders I question the justification for them. They add a lot of windage, are useless when heeled (mostly), and put weird stresses on a critical piece of equipment.

[Ian McColgin]

Ratlines undeniably add windage. Having gone up both weather (very easy) and leeward (pretty easy) ratlines on a small (20 ton) schooner in a Strong Gale (F 9, wind about 50 kt) and having fooled about with various ascenders and halyard hoists in considerable gentler conditions, I am sold on the ratlines for any solo work and even assisted for most rough weather work.

As for the question about Dynex, however, I've no clue except that a boat employing Dynex is unlikely to be of a rigging type where ratlines make much sense anyway.

G'luck

[Stumble]

Hmmm Ian you have a point. My experience on ratlines is restricted to modern sloops where the stays don't really have enough distance between them to run them properly. The only time I had to use them I had to take of my shoes because the stays were so close together.

I still can't think of a good way to atach them to dynex stays however. My first thought was to stitch them in, but I think this would induce a weakness in the line, same problem for a clamp or wrap around the stay.

[Joe Henderson]

Dear Stumble,

I have had success with applying a short (150 mm) bit of serving at each ratline position.

Depending on the stay size, first wrap with athletic strapping tape ( white, non stretchy, 50 mm wide, vastly expensive from a drug store, better from a medical wholesaler by the box ) then serve tightly with black 3 mm V.B. cord.

Then rattle her up!.

If you have sized the dynex correctly ( see web sites and threads ad nauseum ) I dont think that any perceived weakness will amount to much, certainly no more than a clumsily excecuted eyesplice

If the stay is correctly tuned you wont be able to push a needle through anyway.

I am just in the middle of replacing, with Dynex Dux, the stays and shrouds on a 196 ton 110 foot three masted schooner. ( Weight saving about 2 1/2 tons )

I will let you know how it goes with the ratlines.

Regards,

Joe Henderson.

[Brion Toss]

Hey Joe,
Tell us more about that schooner! Oh, and I'm right there with you on bits of service. Or full-length service, for that matter. That way you get ratlines wherever you want, and essentially immortal rigging.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[Bosco]

I'm curious about service for dynex... any hints?

For what it's worth I'm seeing a lot of non performance boats (Westsails, Bristol Channel Cutters, etc) adopting dynex in the cruising fleet (I'm currently in the Caribbean) and one of the big draws is not so much increased performance or high tech but it's DIY marlinspike friendly that is the big draw...