Wired Part II......

For one such as myself who is "sparse of purse" and forced to assume a thrifty posture, it is a daunting endeavor to try and put new lifelines on a 28 foot cruising boat. As you well know, everything is so friggin expensive! A blog or two ago we discussed some wiring options for the lifelines and as of today, no decision has been made as to what to do.....another alternative has come my way for the wire and I wanted to visit with you about this: galvanized cable!!  It has a greater breaking strength than SS wire of the same size and is much cheaper.....Home Depot has 5/32 for 38 cents a foot.....You can buy 5/32 online for 24 cents per foot. Mmmmm, gotta think about this one a while!!

5/32.....7x19....stainless cable breaking strength 2400 lbs.......

5/32.....7x19 galvanized cable breaking strength 2800 lbs.......

Source: Continental Cable, LLC

While in West Marine the other day talking to the guy in the rigging shop about, you guessed it, life line cable,
the WM guy acknowledged that, of course, there was cheaper SS cable available on the market but that is was Chinese made and inferior to the Korean cable that West Marine sells......"Well ! OK !".....Never heard that one before.....?  My wallet keeps whispering to me in my dreams..."Keep on lookin' dude".

Today, while at a  local, hard core, honest to goodness, hardly ever to be found anymore  hardware store that stocks for all the local shrimpers, crabbers, fisherman, tug and push boat guys, and all the rest of the commercial boating enterprises down here, guess what I stumbled across????
You guessed it 5/32...7x19 stainless cable for 72 cents per foot......Oh yeah!...Made in Korea!!!  Take That WM!! The cost for 145 ft is $104.40.....VS ....... $214.60  at YOU KNOW WHERE!!

Now! As if this isn't confusing enough, there is something else that must be factored in this equation and that is the grade of stainless steel ....marine grade stainless steel is 316. It has more of all the good stuff that makes it more corrosion resistant in the marine environment than the 304 grade.
For you technical types: 304 stainless is ....18% chromium and 8% nickel while 316 stainless is 16% chromium and 10% nickel and 2% molybdenum. Molybdenum is the magic ingredient for marine use.
Source: Nema Enclosures Mfg., LLC.

When I bought ZOSHA her lifelines were 3/8", 3 strand nylon line..breaking strength you ask?   4400 lbs.
Source: West Marine Catalogue
You can find 3/8" , 3 strand nylon line from 25 cents to 76 cents per foot..... Take a guess on where its 76 cents/ft ????  One good thing about 3 strand  is that it is easy to learn how to splice in professional quality thimbles and eyes.

OK!...OK!...OK!...enough ....you are probably thinking !!!!  can't blame you either....this is giving me a headache!!  Guess its Corona time.........you guys take care...until the next time...
Happy Holidays and Peace to you all ..........