We’d suffered the most horrendous effects of a NNE storm whilst moored in St Peter Port’s Victoria marina in October 2018.

It had taken 11 of our 18mm multiplait ropes to hold Play d’eau but seeing the immense strain they’d suffered, we knew they should be replaced. But this time, they’d be bigger and tougher.

PLAM HT Popeye Double Braid

With advice from members of the YBW Motor Boat forum, I approached the Italian company PLAM for their High Tenacity Popeye Polyester Double Braid.

After discussion and much measuring, I ordered 6 new 26mm warps. 4 x 7m and 2 x 9m, each with spliced loops and tails.

26mm would have an approximate breaking strain of 14.6 tonnes.

Result?

Ah, what can I say? they arrived courtesy of FedEx and they’re just beautiful. the braid is lovely and the splicing just perfect. So much so that it’s almost a shame to use them.

But, needs must, so they’re in full use, and drawing many admiring comments.

We protect them from chafing using Chafe Pros.

What about the old warps?

Good question. We can’t bring ourselves to throw them out so they’re all in the lazarette in a large and overflowing box until we can decide.

Maybe we’ll choose the best and have them for light mooring use. The rest? Maybe cut out the worn bits and use the remainder for short breast warps or similar. We’ll see.

Piers and Lin
from the overflowing warp locker of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55