Running rigging ~ the gordian way

[sahona]

Thanks both, SWMBO will get some bags. Meanwhile the ropes are clean and I have completed my first two braid-on-braid eyesplices. Very satisfying.
For info - We washed the stack-pack (yes, the machine does still work...) and of course as usual it made the canvas all floppy and permeable.
The fix is a product called "decoelast", used for waterproofing roofs in spain. It is thinned with water and painted onto the material, giving a crisp stiff waterproof finish. Problem is, I don't know where to get it in UK.

[theguerns]

Have a look at our blog www.theguerns.blogspot.com
The washing machine in one of the articles has been used for the past 3 years to wash running rigging, wooring lines, crock, deckshoes, cloths, bedding and anything else that we can get into it NO probs we even have a friend that washes all his sheets and running rigging with the shackles on and NO probs

[ash]

I bought a set of these today - Mesh Laundry Bags from Lidl.

I bought the round ones, but I think that this was a mistake - the wee ones are very wee.

I've got them on test at the moment - the wee ones have the lines from the stack pack and the spinni halyard is in the bigger one. The machine is currently on an 800 spin and seems OK at the moment.

If they look as though they might survive, then I might splash out on the other set with the 2 square bags.

Ash

[BlowingOldBoots]

I don't use bags, just stick the warp / sheet into the drum and wash with soap powder, on a hot, 'intense' setting with zero spin cycle. The ropes are then hung to drip dry in a shed. For ropes with spliced on shackles I wrap the shackle in pipe insulation secured with cable ties.

[ash]

I've just successfully washed my boat lines, braid on braid and 8 plait, using the washing machine. I "daisy-chained" the ropes first. Thinner lines also went into a laundry bag. The daisy chaining prevented tangles, and spread the weight within the drum.

I used the 40C cotton setting, with the spin speed limited to 500 rpm.

I added some 'Vanish' powder to the usual washing powder.

Ash