Why should I buy from Hydro Lines?
Our website will steer you towards suitable solutions for your purchase. We do this using a number of considerations:
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Value - It’s important to us that you will receive the best value from our products. We would like you to partner with us time and time again in all of your future purchases. Its precisely this business model that allows us to provide you with the best value products available on the market.
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Quality - It’s absolutely essential that our products are made to the highest standards, will be long lasting and durable. This is why we only work with the best in the business and we appreciate your feedback.
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Function - Your purchase needs to meet the criteria for its chosen application, how ever large or small, fast or slow your vessel may be. We aim to steer you towards the correct lines so you are left with a product that is great value and best suited to its role onboard.
Sailing Lines and their evolution
Our website will steer you towards suitable solutions for your purchase. We do this using a number of considerations. The overall breaking strain required of sailing lines has historically determined their diameter. With the advancement of modern lines there are now many other factors at play such as the ease of handling and the properties of the materials used to make them.
Braid on Braid Polyester
A few decades ago braid on braid polyester lines were common place. These could be used in most applications. Braid on braid Polyester lines are strong and durable compared the the twisted 3 strand manilla ropes of old. Braid on braid revolutionised marine lines and the hardware we use to control them.
The Creation of Dyneema
As yachts became increasingly larger and more powerful, so the requirement increased for better performing lines with higher breaking strains. To fulfil the breaking strain requirement, braid on braid had to be made thicker. This increased thickness made it heavy and unwieldy. It took up more space and needed big hardware to use it.
The invention of Dyneema has once again revolutionised the lines we use on sailing craft today. Dyneema has incredible strength allowing for higher breaking strains at lower diameters and weights and therefore permits the use of smaller and lighter hardware.
Dyneema is also much more resistant to stretch and this property has contributed hugely to its success. At a very basic level when using older materials the sailor will experience the constant need to tighten lines. They do this to stop the wrinkles and creases that continuously form, they may notice sails sagging and the irritating sound and sight of the flapping or motoring leeches.
At a regatta level Dyneema has transformed the sailors experience even more. The sail curves created and adjusted by control line tensions could now be set and replied upon in constant conditions. It meant for less adjustment and therefore the opportunity to have more crew weight in the right place.
It is clear then in a marginal gains sport like sailing, Dyneema and other exotic materials have had a massive impact and transformed our experience.
When creating Dyneema it was noted that whilst is strong and resistant to stretch it has very poor ability to withstand friction. It has poor durability and it is susceptible to degradation with long term exposure to sunlight.
Dyneema therefore by itself is not a super solution to all our sailing line problems and so to solve the quandry Dyneema is used for its qualities on the interior of lines.
It must be protected by a more durable friction and UV resistant material. like the Polyester it set to replace. The Dyneema lines we use today were formed. They compose of an inner Dyneema core and an outer cover often made using polyester.
Uncovered Dyneema (Rig 12)
Uncovered dyneema is very easy to splice, can be used to make eyes and loops. Uncovered Dyneema (Rig 12) is treated with UV protection and used in applications where there is only very limited friction. It is often used as a soft and lightweight alternative to shackles and knots ie when attaching sails to lines. It is also great in higher load applications where it can be used with blocks. Theses often include purchase and cascades like backstays and kicker/vang purchases.
Dyneema is the best pound for pound material we currently use for sailing lines when protected with a cover. Placed in high load and high friction applications, it’s almost always this polyester cover that fails us first.
Some examples:
A common failure occurs where halyards are placed into jammers. Outer covers fail and strip, leaving the defenceless, yet still very capable inner core yet results in replacement. Another common failure is seen on our sheets used with powerful sails, heavier boats and even just new winches. When trimmed back and fourth with high loads you will find irreversible heat fusion and degradation of the polyester fibres. The lines become weaker and rough on the hands sometimes becoming unusable but inevitably resulting in failure.
In order to further minimise or alleviate these problems manufacturers looked to other materials in which to protect our super strong Dyneema cores. With the development and use of aramids such as Kevlar, Technora and Cordura our Pro range of lines was born.
Dyneema Pro Sheet, Halyard & Runner
Our pro range consists of the winning formula. It utilises the strongest Dyneema core currently available,partnered with a protective cover composed using the aramid fibres.The pro range provides the ultimate line. It’s not only our strongest, low stretch and high load product butprovides the most resistance to friction and heat, it’s easier to handle and more durable than any before.These lines are found on every Grand Prix race yacht, yet these lines shouldn’t be discounted by otherusers. When in the correct application, as their name sake, the premium for these lines is more oftenoffset by their ability to perform time and time again, installing confidence, reliability and superiorfunctionality.Dyneema Pro Sheet Halyard and Runner