Gottifredi Maffioli Safeline Max – Dyneema® lifelines for yachts

Published Date: February 7 2021

Sitting on the rail against lifelines

©Pauger_Carbon

 

Textile Dyneema® lifelines are an increasingly popular choice for cruising as well as racing sailboats. They offer some clear advantages and that is why premium Italian rope manufacturer, Gottifredi Maffioli, has a dedicated lifeline material called Safeline Max. In this blog we outline the key features and benefits of Dyneema® lifelines for yachts.

 

Gottifredi Maffioli’s Safeline Max is made from Dyneema® DM20 Max technology. This product was created by DSM Dyneema specifically for deep water mooring applications and to minimise creep. The result is a “dimensionally stable” Dyneema®, which in layman’s terms means very stiff with zero creep!

The table below highlights two of the major benefits of textile lifelines over the tradition wire alternative.

 

 

Break Load (kg)

Weight (g/m)

4mm 7x19 Wire

910

60

5mm Safeline Max

1600

19,6

Difference

76%

67%

 

 

 

5mm 7x19 Wire

1420

93

6mm Safeline Max

2300

26,9

Difference

61%

71%


Smaller yachts (under approx. 28ft) will generally use 4mm wire, above which, 5mm wire is an industry standard for lifelines. When using Dyneema® it is normal to go up 1mm to achieve a similar stiffness to wire. However, this is an additional benefit in that they are much more comfortable on your hands and to lean against for long periods of time, when sitting on the rail.

When comparing 4/5mm wire to 5/6mm Safeline Max you get approx. 70% more strength for 70% less weight. That is what’s known in the trade as a win-win scenario!

Additional benefits of Safeline Max lifelines include:


  • Abrasion resistant
  • Less abrasive to sails / running rigging
  • No corrosion worries
  • Easy to inspect - If the cover is intact, the product is in good condition (unlike wire which can corrode from the inside out!)

    If we take the example of a standard 40ft yacht with 2 rows of lifelines down each side and across the stern, we are talking about approx. 180ft / 54m of wire. If we replace the 5mm wire with 6mm Safeline Max it provides an overall weight saving of 3,5kg. That might not sound like a lot but here at Upffront.com we are passionate about the benefits of weight saving for every type of sailboat, and we can tell you that this is a significant contribution to reducing your sailing-performance waistline!
    Gottifredi Maffioli Safeline Max LifelineSafeline Max has a unique triple braid construction which allows the product to be spliced without any increase in diameter which makes installation of pre-spliced lines easier (through stanchion bases). Maintenance is simply a question of regular washing with fresh water and inspection for signs of fluffing (which would indicate potential abrasion hotspots).

    The Industry is rapidly accepting the benefits of Dyneema® lifelines and Safeline Max is compliant with the requirements of Paragraph 3.14 of the World Sailing Offshore special regulations for the categories for which the use of textile lifelines is allowed (Monohulls Cat.4 and Multihulls).

    Dyneema® lifelines are an easy upgrade with some significant benefits, are safer and will last just as long as your old wire lifelines.

    You can checkout Gottifredi Maffioli’s Safeline Max on our website here, or if you would like to talk to us about upgrading to Dyneema® lifelines, please contact us at support@upffront.com or by clicking the link below.
    See the range
back to list
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

We are constantly reporting on the latest innovations in the marine industry which offer weight savings whilst, at the same time, increasing safety factors. The result: lighter, faster, safer and more exciting sailing.

Sign up to our blog

Recent Posts

Popular Posts

Tags

See all