Not interested, but curious -- how much did the complete replacement cost, ballpark? Thanks!

I see they are $710 from Catalina Direct.

Did you replace yours because they sagged? Mine are very saggy. I don't know why. It's hard to believe that they would stretch that much, but I can't think of another reason.

Another sailing friend suggested I remove the plastic coating, which typically is not used here in PNW (I forgot his reason). It might improve their look though.

If you bring your old life lines to WM you can buy new lines and fittings using the old lines for measurements to make new ones there using their swaging machine.

If you do Off Shore Racing it is required there is no covering. You can then tell if they are failing. Easy to do with a heat gun and a utility knife.

I do not think the life lines stretch so much as the the position of the end stanchions move. It only takes a couple of degrees tilt to make them go loose.

I may be interested in the life lines if there is hardware on them.
What are you asking?

My summer project is to take a heat gun to my lifelines and strip the covering off of them.

[QUOTE=caprice 1050;21512]If you bring your old life lines to WM you can buy new lines and fittings using the old lines for measurements to make new ones there using their swaging machine.[/QUOTE]

Actually I had a similar but cheaper thought: If they are just sagging, why not just cut one end and put new adjustable fittings on?

I just finished removing all of the 24" stanchions and installing 30" port/starboard gate stanchions and the three forward stanchions. Backing plates were fitted to all. My next project is rigging new Spectra lifelines with lashings to the pulpit and gates. I can submit pics when completed.

Rick,

I trashed the lifelines (couldn't give them away) but removed the fittings first, I will keep some and sell the rest along with the 24" stanchions at a swapmeet. Don't want to deal with selling one zees etc.

We removed the white vinyl covering from our lifelines when we bought our 1999 MK II last year. We also used the heat gun/utility knife method, although I would NOT describe it as "easy." We went through utility knife blades like candy until we switched to a "carpet knife" (with the wicked-looking hooked blade).

There were places where heating and cutting we're quick and easy; once heat was applied we could cut a strip about a foot long and pull it off. But most areas forward of the shrouds were really hard. Even with the heat, we had to manually cut off the vinyl all around the wire, every inch of the way.

End result was worth it. We were able to see all areas and determine we don't need to replace the lifelines yet. Also, after polishing, they look great!

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Rick I am interested I the lines with the hardware contact me with a private message. Ross Wavelength

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What is the advantage to keeping the vinyl on the lifelines? Presumably they add some protection, or is it just for the "feel" of them on the hand? (vinyl is a bit softer on bare hands than bare stainless would be)

On our old 1986 C 30, I'd brush paint the PVC covering the lines with white Interlux topside urethane- they'd look great for several years until the rust and mildew returned…and then another paint job. I did the same to an aging horse shoe preserver and it came out great. I tried the vinyl plastickote spray paint from WM, but it didn't hold up as well, and you had to remove the lines when spraying.

Why note Dyneema or Spectra? Stronger, lighter, easy on hands, and you can see any problems. I also have all my standing rigging in Dyneema rope.

[QUOTE=LCBrandt;21516]My summer project is to take a heat gun to my lifelines and strip the covering off of them.[/QUOTE]

Larry, does this extend the life of the lines? If not is there another reason to do this? I don't like the look of my ageing lines and this is a project for the summer when i re-bed the stanchions. The white covering yellow's quite a bit more than I would like. Maybe these can be purchased without the covering as an alternative. One more item on my ever growing list of "to do":(

[QUOTE=RPowers;21505].

I just replaced my year 1999 lifelines with new ones.

Does anybody want the old ones? Good to fair condition.

Otherwise I'll just recycle them...

.[/QUOTE]

I am interested....how much do you want for them?

Larry, removing the cover does not really extend tge life but it can mean you do not have to buy new ones. Yes you can buy life lines bare. It is a recommended practice for offshore.

My reason for wanting to strip the cover off my lifelines is simply cosmetic.