workability of hempex?

[almeyer]

I'm seriously considering replacing the (once white) 3-strand polyester rigging on my Penobscot 14 with hempex, for a more traditional look and feel. I've got a number of eye splices to make, and at the same time will replace the gromments on my rope-stropped blocks. Making the grommets for the blocks from polyester was not fun, comparing to my "practice" gromment made of manilla, but doable following Brion Toss' instructions. How difficult is hempex to work? I'm also concerned about the longevity of hempex, as I understand it's made of polypropene, which I'm told is not nearly as UV resistant as polyester. I'd like to hear from those who have used it.
Thanks, Al

[Peerie Maa]

I think that you will find the workability fine, possibly easier than polyester.
I cannot offer any advice on durability yet.

[dredbob]

I'm seriously considering replacing the (once white) 3-strand polyester rigging on my Penobscot 14 with hempex, for a more traditional look and feel. I've got a number of eye splices to make, and at the same time will replace the gromments on my rope-stropped blocks. Making the grommets for the blocks from polyester was not fun, comparing to my "practice" gromment made of manilla, but doable following Brion Toss' instructions. How difficult is hempex to work? I'm also concerned about the longevity of hempex, as I understand it's made of polypropene, which I'm told is not nearly as UV resistant as polyester. I'd like to hear from those who have used it.
Thanks, Al

On your 14 foot boat, the differences between polypro and polyester rope probably won't matter much. But there are at least two varieties of polyester rope made to mimic manila; Buff Polyester and Posh. Both are available from RW Rope Warehouse, and I think both can be had as three strand or braid.

Bob

[Full Tilt]

Altough Hempex is polypropolene, it is not anything like any other polyprop rope I've seen. A different manufacturing process stabilizes the fibres. Hempex is very easy to splice, the strands stay together well and re-lay easily for grommets. After 5 years, my skiff's painter, which is exposed 24/7/365, is developing a pinkish tint. I'm going to try the buff polyester from R+W this time, although I think the Hempex looks better when new, due to its brushed finish. I will be using braided buff polyester for halyards, and probably sheets as well, for my 6 tonner. Hempex 3 strand didn't work for my fender lines very well, as the
weight of the fender unwound the lay.
I tied a couple of heaving-lines with monkeys fists of Hempex for 'The Deadliest Catch' as an overnight rush job. They worked well and were a big hit with the cast.
Mike

[jalmberg]

I'm also a Hempex fan. I never noticed the 'pinkish tint' until someone mentioned it on this forum. Now I can notice it if I'm looking for it, but it's really not objectionable, IMHO. The key word is 'tint'. It's pretty subtle. It has so many other nice qualities (including price) than I can easily live with it.

R&W is not Amazon, though, so don't expect next day delivery. I try to order at least 2 weeks before I need it.

[jalmberg]

I must revise my comment about R&W. I placed an order on Monday (actually, the same day as my comment, above, by coincidence) and received the rope *the next day*. I'm not even sure how they did that!

They have been slow in the past, but fair is fair: they've worked out the problems and are now as fast as you could ask for.

Kudos to Rod and the gang at R&W.

[Full Tilt]

I would like to second that sentiment. Hilda and Mr. Dollar were who I dealt with at R+W, and they were great! My rope arrived before I even paid for it. Gord Laco represented R+W at the Toronto Boat Show and provided me with samples of several choices of simulated hemp from various manufacturers. Gord really knows his stuff, maybe that's why he was the Nautical Advisor for the movies, 'Master and Commander', 'The New World' and 'Pirates of the Carribbean'. Gord found the folkboat, 'Touch Wood' that he had once owned, destroyed by hurricane, and is rebuilding her from a pile of planks. He is also an officer in the Royal Canadian Navy.

Good people and an excellent company to do business with.
Mike

I must revise my comment about R&W. I placed an order on Monday (actually, the same day as my comment, above, by coincidence) and received the rope *the next day*. I'm not even sure how they did that!

They have been slow in the past, but fair is fair: they've worked out the problems and are now as fast as you could ask for.

Kudos to Rod and the gang at R&W.

[almeyer]

Thanks for all your responses. I've been out of town all week, but sent R&W an e-mail Monday nite and received a sample of hempex and posh today in the mail. The hempex felt nicer in the hand and at first I thought the samples had been mislabeled until I dunked both in the sink. Your responses alleviated any concern I had; tomorrow I'll finish listing and measuring the lines and put in an order.
Thanks again,
Al

[kbowen]

I can corroborate the variability of the turnaround at RW. I called on a Friday, they said that they could get it out on UPS that day, but it got lost in the warehouse somewhere and didn't get found and shipped until I called again the following Thursday. FWIW, the buff polyester has a lovely hand but is serious $ in the 3/4" size.

[almeyer]

Thanks again for your comments. I placed an order online last Sunday, and it arrived Friday via UPS. I'm using Posh for the halyard and bridle, and hempex for the rest. I found the hempex very easy to work; it didn't loose it's lay near as easy as the polyester I'd worked with the last time.
Al


here's the grommets I made for my blocks


and here's the sheet with the bullseye attached and the two bits for my yard parrel

[McKee]

Hmm... A day late and a dollar short (at least).

I used to work on big tradition vessels, and we (the various bosuns/mates/masters) all came to the conclusion that it didn't wear well, and that it has to soft a hand for most uses. Anyway, I am not a fan