Is there any way to loosen up old Nylon rope?

[Jerry Barnett]

I have some 1" nylon three strand that I would like to use but it is a little tired and has hardened up.

Is there any way to loosen it up (other than pounding it with a hammer) so that I can put eye on it?

Any advice appreciated.

Jerry

[Dan McCosh]

It is trying to tell you that it is at the end of its useful life. Hitting it with a hammer might put it out of its misery.

[Concordia...41]

Soak it in a sink or tub with a dash of fabric softener. As stated, don't depend on it for anything crucial.

I've never 'got' why folks will use and re-use line - as far as boat things go, it is one of the least expensive items to replace. Say compared to electronics, engine or sails.

On the other hand, we just had an idiot completely strip every halyard and inch of running rigging off a 50' race boat because it was "faded in spots." Didn't even cut the shackles off - just tossed about 5k worth of Dynema and Spectra in the dumpster... :rolleyes:

- M

[Bob Cleek]

I hope you snagged that line! Harbor "dumpster diving" can be very rewarding!

BTW, I've found the fabrick softener works well with dacron line, but less so with nylon. What I do is to coil the line up and tie it with six or eight stops of small stuff (so it won't turn into a "donkey's tail") and put it in the washing machine with the agitator in the middle of the loop. Usually works like a charm. If the stops come undone... it's not good.

If line is "tired," it is still useful. For one thing, it's usually way stronger than one is going to ever need in most applications, so a relatively slight weakening of the test strength is not all that big of a deal. Beyond that, when it's really tired, it remains useful for dock lines, fancywork, ropework fenders and any number of "recycled" applications. I can't remember the last time I threw away a piece of line. They just keep getting used and reused until they "fade away."

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

If you find a way, patent it, and you will be able to retire on your earnings from a grateful merchant shipping industry.

[paladin]

I used it for fenders, perhaps 3-5 lengths about a foot long each, then worked the fender around it. I used cottom line to cover the outsides....and I noticed that a lot of folks coveted my work as I lost several over the years, within about 3-4 days of attaching them to cleats.

[Soundbounder]

Soak it in a sink or tub with a dash of fabric softener. As stated, don't depend on it for anything crucial.

I've never 'got' why folks will use and re-use line - as far as boat things go, it is one of the least expensive items to replace. Say compared to electronics, engine or sails.

On the other hand, we just had an idiot completely strip every halyard and inch of running rigging off a 50' race boat because it was "faded in spots." Didn't even cut the shackles off - just tossed about 5k worth of Dynema and Spectra in the dumpster... :rolleyes:

- MI have heard and read about using fabric softener also.
I have never actually attempted it, but it would be the first thing I would try.

[JimConlin]

I recollect that many years ago, I used fabric softener for this problem. Can't remember whether it was dacron or nylon. For stiff 1" line, a plastic trash barrel or a kid wading pool might be the right container.