best cord type for marline?

[toomanyquestions]

Having a tough time finding an adequate source of tarred marline here on the east coast, so I am thinking i'll be stuck making my own soon. What do you guys feel is the best stuff to use? Can't find Manila here except in inch-thick rope. I've been eyeing the seine twine and the jute. Will it work better if I tar it first, or should I just wrap it on and slush it up afterwards?
I'm serving 1/4" galvanized cable.

Thanks,

-JB

[Mike Maddin]

JB -

This only addresses part of your question, but have you checked the catalog on this website under Rigging Materials? Brion carries tarred seine twine in sizes 30 through 60.

Best Wishes,

Mike

[toomanyquestions]

Yeah, I uh... kinda found that after I posted
So obviously seine twine is handy. But if it's tarred after it's been served on, will the tar penetrate enough? I took apart a slushed bare wire, and the stuff seems to soak through the cable all the way to the core, but I want to make sure before I go and serve the cables in their entirety. I'm concerned that the fibers in the twine are too tight for the tar to penetrate if it's just brushed on the outside surface.

-JB

[NickfromWI]

You said they stock size 30-60. Is there a way to define how big they are. I was going to buy some before, but I didn't know what size I was looking for...then I got distracted

love
nick

[H/V Vega]

Hi Mate,

Just a note if you are serving properly then you will have tarred the wire both before laying on the serving cloth and again before running on the line. Using a proper serving mallet I have never had problems with the tar not penetrating. In fact, I often have to wipe off the cable with spirits to remove the "extra". I cut off an old parceled and served shroud, made about 20 years ago, the other day and the wire was still like new on the inside. Just one more very important thing! You must seal the ends of your wire very well if you want them to last. No use sealing the length if you're just going to make a nice inviting entrÈe for the water at the turned back end. Do that and I guarantee that in a year or two you will have the wire fail right at the turn of the eye.