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Working with bungee cord

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matsche
Captain

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USA
280 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/28/2003 : 10:02:00

From earlier postings here on the site, I'm wanting to set up some bungee cord mods like a tiller tamer as [url="http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4349"]described by Dave B[/url] and maybe some sort of permanent sail tie setup. I've seen two that I like, [url="http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4684"]Arlyn[/url] had one and I can't seem to find the other.

Obviously, these mods require buying the shock cord in bulk, then cutting, tieing and fastening as needed. I've never had to work with bungee in bulk and was wondering if anyone had some good tips. So far, I've found it difficult to keep a knot as they tend to wiggle out very quickly, and I'm not sure how to seal the ends after a cut. Can you use heat, like you would rope or do you need to seal the ends using a whipping twine or something else? Also, any suggestion as to type and sources for fasteners would be appreciated.

Thanks.

John Matsche
PO of 1985 Catalina 25 TR/FK #5171
CO of 1990 Capri 26 WK #97

Edited by - on

Earl Landers
Navigator

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USA
157 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2003 : 10:20:39

John,
As an old Hobie sailor, I 've used a bit of shock cord in the past. As you've discovered, keeping knots tied is challenging. The more permanent method is to use a pair of Hog Rings to

fasten a loop or to keep a knot. A hot knife is the cleanest way to cut and seal ends. I've used both tape and heat shrink to whip the ends before cutting and both work well. One last item, if you leave you shock cord out in the weather, don't expect much more than about a year for useful lifespan.

Here is the link to WM's hog rings

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SiteSearch?storeId=10001& catalogId=10001& keyword=2684462

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2003 : 13:21:30

Arlyn got me so excited about bungie I boat two lengths of two sizes and a bag of these white nylon hooks. I had to use vice grips to assemble the hooks so i thought they were the bomb, the first time I tried one of the cords I had built the end pulled off, a friend said "whoa!" picked up the bungie which had nearly killed me a moment earlier and yanked the other hook off. Stay away from the white nylon hooks! What I read on the Layline site was that bungie is made differently now that years before. What I bought is parallel strand of what appears to be latex. The wrap is purely sun block. My bungie has a very low stretch factor. It is making the bulk get used up fast.
Here is my sail-tie set up, I like the nylon web with the hook and loop, they are off of an old centipede.

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2003 : 15:25:22

Earl has it right... whip the bungee with plastic tape and then cut in the middle of the tape with a hot knife. Use stainless hog rings to either double it back when securing for a bungee cord or making a bungee loop or whatever. Don't try to use pliers on hog rings... get a hog ring tool, they are not expensive.

Frank is also right, the bungee must be sized carefull to the hooked ends or it can pull thru when strained.

When investing in bungee cords, buy those with stainless hooks and recycle them. My brother in law and I spend some lazy cruising afternoons this year redoing a lot of my bungee cords. This included recycling the hog rings even.

Its been reported that a good sun block on a bungee will increase its life. There is a lot of difference in bungee, I've had some that lasted for many years exposed to the sun and some which didn't go a season.

Its true... I love bungee.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 11/29/2003 : 20:01:25

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by matsche</i>
. . . So far, I've found it difficult to keep a knot as they tend to wiggle out very quickly . . .
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

I'm not sure what your application here is John but I've had no failures using figure-eight knots (pulled snug) for dead-ending bungee cord.

Edited by - OJ on 11/30/2003 13:15:21

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