Re: [Paddlewise] Rudder Cable Replacement Advice

From: Alex Ferguson <a.ferguson_at_chem.canterbury.ac.nz>
Date: Fri, 01 Sep 2000 08:53:09 +1200
>  I prefered to use a rope called
>SPECTRA (in Argentina). This rope is the one used for parachutes. It has a
>kevlar core and if it expands, I really don´t noticed it. The cords slides
>through a rubber tube as long as it is operationally possible. I´m really
>happy with its behavior.
>
>Fernando

As Fernando says, Spectra is the way to go. If it does break you can tie a 
knot in it, something that isn't easy with wire. I've had wire break and 
I've had Spectra chaff through because the metal where it was tied on the 
rudder was too thin and not smooth. A little bit of care and there 
shouldn't be any maintenance needed for years.

It does help to run the Spectra through tubes and we use home irrigation 
tubing, about 4 mm ID. and 2 mm Spectra. It might sound thin and look thin 
but that's all you need.

Alex
.
.

Alex (Sandy) Ferguson
Chemistry Department
University of Canterbury
New Zealand

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Received on Thu Aug 31 2000 - 14:01:05 PDT

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