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Marine Ropes Information Page - Welcome!

Marine Ropes Information Page - Welcome!

Welcome to our Web-page dedicated to Ropes - different types of rope construction and material, what qualities to look for and how to choose the right rope for the job.

On this page is some basic information on the marine ropes generally available for mooring, anchoring, sheets & halyards and specialist ropes such as shock cord and netting.

At Network Yacht Chandlers, we offer high quality ropes from English Braids - an established British company who have been supplying ropes to the industry for almost 40 years. Their ropes always offer the best value for money, knowing their customers would prefer to use a well manufactured high quality rope over a cheaper less substabtial alternative. whether you require a thin cord for a flag halyard, a mooring warp for a large yacht or a selection of sheets for sail control lines, Network Yacht Chandlers have the rope you need. Most types of rope are offers in a variety of sizes and colours to enable you to personalise your choice and keep your boat looking smart and fit for purpose.

To view our complete range of rope, click one of the following links or browse the information below to learn more!

English Braid Ropes & Netting
Marine Ropes & Netting

Different types of rope

Different types of rope

Ropes are used in a variety of purposes for the mariner, and as such come in all shapes and sizes. The job for which the rope is to be used will determine which type and size is chosen.

The most common uses of ropes on board are:

  • Anchoring - securing the boat to the anchor/chain
  • Mooring - securing the boat to a pontoon/dock or mooring
  • Sail Control - sheets and halyards
  • Safety - rescue lines and throwing lines


    • The types of rope suitable for each job are explained in more detail below.

    If you are unsure about anything, or have a question, no matter how simple it is please dont hesitate to call us.

    Anchoring Rope

    Anchoring Rope


    The properties required from a good anchoring rope will include:

  • Durability
  • Low boyancy (not float)
  • Limited amount of stretch
  • Ease of handling


    • Dependant on the size of the anchor you use, there maybe other factors which should be taken into consideration - if the anchor is to be dropped, or lifted by hand, and the rope flaked into a container or locker for storage, it's ability to not kink or twist will be valuable, as will it's softness on the hands.

    The diameter and length of the rope is also important. It is vital that you have sufficient length to anchor safely whilst bearing in mind the limitations of storage available. Check the breaking strain of the rope before purchasing.

    Safety Rope

    Safety Rope

    The properties from a good Safety Rope will include:

  • Highly boyant (not sink)
  • High Visibility
  • Relativly easy to throw
  • Reasonable strength


    • Typically ropes used specificly for safety lines, are made from Polypropene due to its suitible properties as a material, on average the diameter of a safety rope would be around 10mm however this would obvioucly vary with the size and destinations of your vessle. The most important thing to look for when choosing a safety line would be boyancy and visibility, for obviouce reasons it is essential that the line is easy to see, and floats.

    Halyard & Sheet Rope

    Halyard & Sheet Rope

    The properties of a good Halyard & Sheet Rope will include:

  • Good strength
  • Low stretch
  • Flexible and easy to handle
  • Good performance in running gear
  • Easy to splice


    • The most important thing to look for when buying Halyard & Sheet ropes, will be high strength under strain, and extremely low stetch, this is obvioucly important in keeping the shape of the sail, using a rope with a high stretch value when under strain will cause the sail to fluctuate in shape, which is disasterous for maintaining that perfect sail.

    Mooring Rope

    Mooring Rope

    The properties of a good Halyard & Sheet Rope will include:

  • Good strength retainability
  • Retainable flexability
  • Easy to splice
  • Good sheave action


    • In almost al cases the best type of mooring rope to use would be 3-Strand Polyester, this is the general favourite because of its ability to stay soft and white when coming into contact with water. Nylon is the other popular material, however it's used far less because of its tendancy to siffen, and discolour when it absorbs water.

    Take care when purchasing a Mooring Rope to look into the stress your vessle will put on the rope, the best choice is to play safe and use a rope with a breaking load that far extends the likely weight caused by your vessle.