Taking care of your water ski or wakeboard tow rope will prolong the life of the rope. Follow these guidelines to keep it from breaking and make it last for years to come.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Life of the Rope
Here's How:
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Life of the Rope
Here's How:
- Avoid knotting the rope. Knots reduce the breaking strength of a rope. Energy which is normally spread over the entire length of rope directs itself to the knot.
- Avoid leaving the rope in direct sunlight when it is not in use. The more time it spends in direct sunlight, the faster it will deteriorate. When not in use, store your rope in a cool, dry, shady place.
- Avoid getting dirt on your rope. Dirt particles grind in the rope and will cause the fibers to weaken.
- Rinse the rope in fresh water after each use. Hang dry the ropes in a shady place.
- To prolong the life of the rope try attaching it to the pylon, eye hook, or other attachment point in different ways. Try double looping around the rope attachment point to add strength. Also, switching ends of the rope occasionally to rotate tension spots can help reduce wear and tear.
- To prevent kinking, when coiling the rope try bringing it in the form of a figure eight. Or, store it on a reel.
- Make sure the spotter not only keeps their eye on the water-skier or wakeboarder, but also the towrope. The rope should never be allowed to go under the boat as it could be cut by the prop.
- Apply chafing tape to spots on the rope that receive extensive wear and tear.
- Alternate ropes for extended use and always have spare ropes available.