Image credits: LOOP Products
LOOP Products are a German firm who pride themselves in sailing hardware innovation. Formed in 2005, the LOOP Products range is the brainchild of Kohlhoff GmbH – to learn more, read our previous blog here.
In this blog we look at the trend towards lightweight, flexible sheet lead solutions and why the LOOP Woggle is working its way to the top of the pack in high load situations.
Image Credit: Ronstan
Previously on our blog, we introduced our range of new Kohlhoff composite backstays, manufactured from Gottifredi Maffioli’s lightweight – but incredibly strong – Ultrawire.
When it comes to furling cables, custom top-down cables (for loose luff, asymmetrical gennakers) and bottom-up cables (for code zeros and staysails) can sometimes be expensive. For small to medium sized racing and cruising sailboats (up to 45ft), torsional rope can often be a viable and cost-effective alternative for performance furling systems.
There are many core materials used in rope making (e.g. Vectran®, PBO, polypropylene, hemp, nylon etc) but the vast majority of modern ropes are based on a polyester, or increasingly, a Dyneema® core. Get a basic introduction to the benefits and weaknesses of these two primary core fibres.
There are so many great performance ropes to choose from...... but where to start? Based on your sailing level/style, understand some of the basic principles so you know what you are looking for.
Understand the importance of having a good quality furling line for continuous line furlers, what to look out for and where to find an extensive range of performance and cruising furling lines.
