Sailing Lines - Care and Maintenance
In Sailing, many different Lines are used for a variety of purposes. For clarity, almost each Line used in a Sailboat has its own term. Know the terms used to identify different Lines in the sport.
Here are some examples:
- Halyards - used to raise and lower the Sails
- Sheets - used in Sail Trimming
- Vang - keeps the boom from lifting
- Preventer - controls the sideway motion of the boom
- Docklines - used in securing a Sailboat to a dock
Since Lines are essential features of Sailboats, it is imperative to take good care of them and keep them away from elements that may contribute to the wear and tear or deterioration of Lines as time progresses.
Here are some guidelines in keeping Lines in their good condition:
- Avoid frayed Line ends.
It will be hard to tie Sailing Knots if your Lines have frayed ends. Moreover, they look messy and worn out. To avoid having frayed ends, seal Line ends with proprietary liquids, glue, or adhesive tape. Make regular checks of your Lines so fraying (if any) will be attended to before it gets worse.
- Clean the Lines.
Dirt, dust, and other particles can accummulate in strands of the Lines. This buildup of dirt can affect the performance of Lines over a certain period of time. Scrub the Lines in a bucket of water and mild detergent. Coil the Lines and let them dry.
- Store Lines properly.
Coil Lines when not in use to avoid kinks and tangles. Make sure they are coiled properly before storing. Otherwise, they will get tangled up. Just imagine the effort and time you need just to straighten out various sorts of Lines that you need. Coil three strand Lines in loops, while braided Lines should be in figure 8 coils.
These are some tips in taking care of Lines on your Sailboat. Proper Care and Maintenance of Sailing Lines is all you need to extend their life and to ensure that they are in good condition every time you go sailing.
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