cover failure on spectra core.

[Vincent DePillis]

I have had two instances of polyester cover failing (big scary bang) on spectra core. One a reef line for the main, another a main halyard. They failed at the clutch, natch. Once the cover goes, you are done for the day,even though the core may still be ok.

I have started treating the cover at the clutch with Spinlock 25, and that seems to help some. I have thought of buying that fancy separate cover, but it is way spendy.

But then I starting thinking-- isn't this whole idea (putting a stretchy polyester cover on a low stretch, slick spectra core) kinda stupid? Isn't the cover always going to pop long before the core? I was thinking, is there any way to lock the cover and core together? Glue, sewing of some kind? Sort of the Paralock idea, but something you can do after making up the halyard, so that you can still use the handy dandy brummel tuck.

Anybody working on a DIY approach? Hm. Maybe I'll see if Frank Schattauer is willing to run the tail of my next main halyard through his sewing machine with a bunch of v92 about 6 times, and then dip the whole thing in RP 25.

[Jack]

I do not have clutch's, but I have had good luck running another piece of line inside the hollow core dynex. It will build it up. Although you would still have to deal with the slick part of it.

[Dan Lehman]

Originally Posted by Vincent DePillis

I have had two instances of polyester cover failing (big scary bang) on spectra core. One a reef line for the main, another a main halyard. They failed at the clutch, natch. ...
But then I starting thinking-- isn't this whole idea (putting a stretchy polyester cover on a low stretch, slick spectra core) kinda stupid? Isn't the cover always going to pop long before the core?

I don't follow your thinking re differences in stretch -- the stretchy one should be what
survives, having stretched and let the other bear the load. What seems to be happening
is that the core is slipping within the sheath, so leaving the latter to take the load.
This points to finding a better-married core & sheath (how many reports of this problem
are there; is it brand-specific?), or a stronger clutch!?

--dl*
====

[Vincent DePillis]

I don't think this is brand specific and really fancy clutches (spinlock Power clutch) does help.

However, I jsut received advice on tehis issue from Sailing anarchy-- basically to double up on the cover in teh clutched area using a "nedle splice to marry the two covers. Here is the exchange:



QUOTE (PBO @ Aug 30 2009, 03:18 AM)
I'd 'needle splice' a second cover into the original...performed correctly the splice is tapered (good through clutches etc) & is renewable

"What is a "needle spice"???

"It's a little hard to explain it in detail but very easy to demonstrate!! Essentially you use a tool to pull the external braid under the existing cover at tapered intervals. You have the external braid (long enough to protect the clutch area) divided into 3-4 unlaid bunches & a small amount of slack in the existing cover. IMO it's the nicest way of dealing with the clutch problem

http://www.outdoorxscape.co.uk/store...mall/p_65.html

The hook shaped tools are needles, I've used 1/16 rod with great effect also"


Anybody try this?