I am paranoid about getting a rope around the prop, so want to replace my dinghy painter with something that floats. Bunnings has some polyprop rope, but one review said it was impossible to tie a decent knot which stays in place. WW has ski rope. Any ideas on the best choice?
Select to expand quoteYara said..
I am paranoid about getting a rope around the prop, so want to replace my dinghy painter with something that floats. Bunnings has some polyprop rope, but one review said it was impossible to tie a decent knot which stays in place. WW has ski rope. Any ideas on the best choice?
Have used floating painter line from whitworths with success, questioned the ability to splice a loop in it and the salesman (a sailor) simply formed an oversized loop and knotted it, not particularly pretty but worked for years. 
one review said it was impossible to tie a decent knot
Tie a bowline (or any knot really) and the sew through and whip the bit to the line.
I was given some of the WW 3strand silver rope floats good but is loose construction makes it a bit of a pain to splice but it can be done
Select to expand quoteUncleBob said..Yara said..
I am paranoid about getting a rope around the prop, so want to replace my dinghy painter with something that floats. Bunnings has some polyprop rope, but one review said it was impossible to tie a decent knot which stays in place. WW has ski rope. Any ideas on the best choice?
Have used floating painter line from whitworths with success, questioned the ability to splice a loop in it and the salesman (a sailor) simply formed an oversized loop and knotted it, not particularly pretty but worked for years.
I use bright yellow poly prop as a painter. Floats and you can see where it is. And cable ties to secure the knots. Whipping is beyond me though I'd love to know how. Never failed but I always check it.
When I was a kid I got the painter caught around the prop. After the bollocking my dad gave me I have always tied it off since. It has happened again though!
Depends if you get 3 strand or the hollow stuff. There are plenty of YouTube vids on how to splice both. The core, hollow stuff is really easy. The problem is it wants to spring back and let go when not under load so you need to whip or hold it somehow. Make sure this is done when under load. Drop the loop over a cleat and put the working end on a winch. Just pull it hand tight. Whipping is very easy. Again loads of vids. I prefer the method where you stitch through the line to begin. If you don't feel up to it do 3 or 4 constrictor knots spaced out along the splice with whipping twine. Cut the ends long and melt them carefully. Covering the whole thing in heavy duty heat shrink at the end works well.
Knots work, just pull it tight on a winch too sinch it up and stitch the tail, again a bit of heat shrink.
Be very careful using heat shrink on Poly rope not too melt the rope!
Cmon guys - we should all be able to do a splice in 3 strand with our eyes closed. So get some silver rope from WW and get to it. Then splice ends on the fenders, some nylon dock lines, anchor warps and more. If you can't splice then your boat will be poorer for it. It takes about 20 minutes to get good at it, then the world is at your feet.
Or spend a few extra coins and get polypropylene from classic boats either the hempex or polytex both float and are much nicer to work with than the silver rope from WW. The kiwi made stuff is good too,
