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Durability of cord.

Original Post
eli poss · · Durango, CO · Joined May 2014 · Points: 525

I'm wondering about the durability of 3mm accessory cord, used for anchoring canoes and kayaks to a dock. I was surprised to find that a rope that had previously been fixed on a dock on an island in the TN river was gone today when I want kayaking as many people like to hike around on the little island. I had brought some 3mm cord and a couple of biners because the old line was short and could only fit one boat on it and I needed to fit 3. I decided to leave the cord there for future hikers' convenience so I double cloved it to a rail and tied a couple fig 8s on bights for easy anchoring if they have carabiners. Considering it doesn't need to and won't be hold anything near its rating of 5kNs, will it last for a good amount of time or will it need to be replaced soon with something bulkier? It has the potential to get wet and dirty, but I left it sitting on the dock and not in the water.

Jason Todd · · Cody, WY · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 1,114

3mm cord will only last a maximum of 64 days, 15 hours, and +/-32 minutes before self destructing.

Whether or not that is a "good amount of time" is a question only you can answer.

Gunkiemike · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 3,492

3mm is somewhere between dental floss and lacing for a dress shoe i.e. really thin. And boat ropes are notoriously subject to chafing and wear. I would not expect 3 mm to hold a boat for more than a windy afternoon. If that. Go 7mm or larger.

eli poss · · Durango, CO · Joined May 2014 · Points: 525

Hmm it's thicker than shoe laces so maybe I have the size wrong? And I'm not talking about big boats I'm talking about like single or tandom kayaks

20 kN · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 1,346

Why dont you just buy some 1/4" nylon rope from Home Depot? Probably about the same price, and much less likely to fail.

eli poss · · Durango, CO · Joined May 2014 · Points: 525

Well considering I'm leaving Chattanooga tommorow it's not really an option. I would have used some of my 8mm cord but I didn't bring it because I was not aware that a fixed rope that had been there before was now gone. It's like if you were doing a climb at your home crag and you expected there to be quick links at the anchors and they were gone, and you just so happened to have quick links on your harness, you may just decided to leave them there for the next climber's convenience. I just wanted to get an idea how long it may last since I won't be back till thanksgiving.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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