[C320-list] Life Lines

[Jack Brennan]

I’m experimenting with Amsteel Blue lifelines right now. The jury is still out for me.

Functionally, they are fine.  Cosmetically, they leave a little to be desired. But that may reflect my lack of design skills more than anything.

After maybe 18 months, they show almost no UV degradation. I used cow hitch knots on the fittings, ordered off Amazon, and chain links around the stanchions to keep the lines from running through when I opened a gate. 

My biggest mistake was not ordering pre-stretched line or stretching it myself. The first month or so, I kept having to re-tie the knots as the line sagged. They’re fine now.

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
Tierra Verde, Fl.





Sent from Mail for Windows

From: RONALD HODEL
Sent: Monday, January 31, 2022 8:38 PM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Life Lines

On our old 30 I used Amstel line. Any thoughts on that approach?

Ron Hodel 
#1070 Lokomaikai 
Dana Point, California 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jan 31, 2022, at 4:59 PM, Joe M <smith.blazer.72 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Yes my suncor kit on the 320 was $1,000 with coated cable. I find it looks
> better than the open bails and comfortable to lean back on the coated
> cable. To each his own. The original coated cable was an eyesore being
> overdue for replacement and surveyors don’t like it because they cannot see
> corrosion. Having said that, when the cable needs replacement again, that
> is where the money will be saved, by reusing the hardware instead of
> tossing everything out. It didn’t take long to do.
> 
> Either way……new is better than 20 years old and overdue.
> 
> Joe 2002 C320 hull #902
> 
>> On Mon, Jan 31, 2022 at 6:51 PM Jeff Hare <Catalina at thehares.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Mark,
>> 
>> It's possible on some boats to take the old ones to a rigger and get new
>> ones made to just install, but not the C320. The stanchion holes are not
>> large enough for any fittings to pass through so you have to do the final
>> swaging/assembly on the boat. To remove the old ones, requires cutting the
>> cable forward of the lifeline gate.
>> 
>> Also, the "pre-swaged" kit approach from CD or elsewhere is easier to
>> install overall than the Suncor compression fittings and look cleaner and
>> sleeker.  I've done two installations with the Suncor compression fittings,
>> and one with the swaged fittings. It took much less time to swage on 8
>> fittings than it did to install all 16 with the Suncor compression fittings
>> because of keeping the little rubber band in place and the jaws aligned
>> properly before tightening them down. While you can remove the Suncor ones
>> if you make a mistake, it's not always easy and you'll be doing it without
>> the rubber band to assist unless you have spares.
>> 
>> The Suncor fittings are significantly more expensive. Just did a 36' boat
>> and the cable and fittings at my cost were around $1200 last summer.
>> 
>> -Jeff Hare
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of
>> Mark Hood
>> Sent: Sunday, January 30, 2022 8:58 AM
>> To: C320-List at catalina320.com
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Life Lines
>> 
>> What we did with our old Douglas 32 is to remove our old life lines and
>> bring to a rigger over the winter to duplicate. Perfect fit, no hassles and
>> relatively inexpensive. Mark Hood
>> 
>>> On Sun, Jan 30, 2022 at 8:12 AM Joe M <smith.blazer.72 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Next time buy a roll of coated wire (or uncoated if you like) and
>>> suncor compression kit. Easy install, looks perfect, gates (and
>>> everything else) are exactly as you want and the hardware can be used
>>> again which will save money next time.
>>> 
>>> I know this doesn’t help you now. Sorry.
>>> 
>>> Joe 2002 C320 hull #902
>>> 
>>> On Sat, Jan 29, 2022 at 9:19 PM SARA SCHROEDER <saras951 at comcast.net>
>>> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> I bought the uncoated stainless lifeline kit from Catalina Direct
>>>> and am
>>> a
>>>> bit confused by the instructions. Before I attempt the install I
>>>> thought I'd ask if anyone has installed these before.  The part I am
>>>> confused
>>> about
>>>> is that the instructions say:  "When you receive your kit, it will
>>> include
>>>> several wires.  Each wire will have a pelican hook swaged on one end
>>>> and
>>> a
>>>> gate eye swaged on the other end.  You will cut each of these wire
>>>> assemblies somewhere in the middle.  Exactly where the wire is cut
>>> depends
>>>> upon where your aft most lifeline stanchion is installed."
>>>> 
>>>> Seriously?? I pay for beautiful new lifelines and I have to "cut
>>>> each of them somewhere in the middle?!?!?"
>>>> 
>>>> If anyone can walk me through this I'd be forever grateful.
>>>> 
>>>> Sara
>>>> Wandering Star
>>>> 2000/#7070
>>>> Seattle
>>>> 
>>> 
>> 
>>