Rope Question

burntorange77 · Soul Rider Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 321 City: Kingwood

Is there a difference between the coated spectra ropes versus the uncoated ones? There's a price difference, but is there a performance difference as well? I've included pics in case I'm not using the right terminology. I'm going to buy one of these two, but I want to know which is the better option first.

Maestro · Posted: Dec 03, 2006 8:48 pm Post subject:

It's preference. We used Straightline coated ropes this summer and I liked them a lot at first, but the plastic coating tended to get cut and make coiling a pain. That being said, it was a camp and if I were to own the rope myself I don't think that would be an issue.

From the looks of the actual rope under the plastic in the first pic, however, it looks like the quality of the Bullet Lines particular offering might not be that good. For that reason I'd say go with the second option - I know for a fact that many people on here and wakeworld have bought it and been very satisfied.

Chocolate Sauce · Guest

ive found uncoated might tangle a slight bit more. also prevent rope burn. more preference though

HHI Dave · Posted: Dec 03, 2006 9:29 pm Post subject:

I have the rope in the first pic, along with the matching handle.

I bought it on Ebay for less than $100 and I'm pretty happy with it so far.

The jacket really only serves two purposes that I've found. It definitely cuts down on tangling and the bright yellow makes the rope easier to spot in the water. I guess it looks cool too so maybe that's a third purpose. Laughing

Some of the jacket has gotten frayed due to useage, but I just stripped that section off. Its just a regular spectra rope underneath so it really doesn't matter.

[EDIT: The part of the jacket that got frayed was due to us using a parasail pylon as a tower. If I were using a regular wakeboard tower or boat ski ring, it never would have frayed from regular useage.]

BoarderX · Posted: Dec 04, 2006 6:57 am Post subject:

ive got 1200' of coated bullet line rope on my winch that they sold to me in bulk. Its frayed in a couple spots but thats mainly because its getting pulled through sand and through a fairlead... one thing i really like about it, the rope can pass through your hands without burning you as much as a bare rope so long as it is a little wet.

timmyDecker · Outlaw Joined: 22 May 2006 Posts: 187 City: Manhattan...KS

I essentially have the same line and handle HHI Dave has only mine's red. I've heard companies market the coated lines as being more durable, because the coating keeps the sun's UV rays from damaging the lines. How much of that is true and how much of it is hype, I can't tell you. I like the coating because it slides through your hands easier.

burntorange77 · Soul Rider Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 321 City: Kingwood

Thanks for all the input so far. Keep 'em coming. It sounds like the coated may be the better option, plus it's a little cheaper (Why is that?) so maybe I'll go with that.

LakeIolaLuke · Posted: Dec 04, 2006 9:09 am Post subject:

timmyDecker, What They say about the coating is true. We had a coated hyperlite rope and the coating got frayed about halfway down the line, but we used the rope for about another year. My brother was in mid-air doing a raley when the line broke in that exact spot.

burntorange77 · Soul Rider Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 321 City: Kingwood

LakeIolaLuke,
So would you buy the coated or uncoated.

burntorange77 · Soul Rider Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 321 City: Kingwood

I just won the uncoated rope on eBay. I decided to go with it because it's a thicker rope than the coated (4mm vs. 3mm) and I really wasn't crazy about the yellow. Thanks for all the replies. It's my first non-stretch rope so I'm already excited about getting to try it out.

LakeIolaLuke · Posted: Dec 04, 2006 1:36 pm Post subject:

Oh, I swear by the coated lines now. They Coil easier, untangle easier, don't burn your hands, and seldom get knotted. I just haven't been able to find one that floats yet.

Maestro · Posted: Dec 04, 2006 1:58 pm Post subject:

burntorange77 - I can pretty much guarantee you'll really like that rope, especially since it's your first non-stretch. You will definitely appreciate it over a stretchy rope.

And as long as you coil it properly you shouldn't have to worry about it tangling. Every few times out riding I'd suggest throwing the rope out the back of the boat while hanging on to the handle (in the boat) and drive around for a bit. This will unwind the rope and keep it from getting messy.

HHI Dave · Posted: Dec 04, 2006 5:07 pm Post subject:

Congrats on the rope. Coated or not, you'll be happy with a spectra line if you've been riding with a nylon ski rope up till now.

BTW, what about a handle? Already have one? Cool

arof · Posted: Dec 04, 2006 6:03 pm Post subject:

nice! You'll love a non-stretch rope, it makes one of the biggest differences in wakeboarding.

burntorange77 · Soul Rider Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 321 City: Kingwood

HHI Dave,
I've got a straight line handle that I'm having to glue back together cause the cover is coming off. But beyond that, I really like it.

HHI Dave · Posted: Dec 05, 2006 11:53 am Post subject:

burntorange77, excellent...enjoy. Cool

c-boy · Posted: Dec 05, 2006 3:35 pm Post subject:

the coated ones appear to break/bend if not treated to 100%..other than that i like the coated

wviveen · Addict Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 705 City: Loosdrecht

I didn't really like the coated one, I have used the green LF coated rope much this summer. the coating was broken in a lot of places and fell off, another thing I didn't like is that it actually sinks.
If you circle around your rider and tell him something the line would sink under him, making it difficult to get. .

bulletlines · Newbie Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 29 City: New Braunfels

Thanks for the great feedback on our ropes!

Our Armor Line (coated rope), I feel, is an overall better rope because of the PVC coating. Our coating protects against abrasion and UV damage. However, tensile strength is only over 2,000 lbs. I also like how it slides thru my hands.

Our Power Core is a great rope, but it lacks the abrasion resistance of the Armor Line. It does have double the tensile strength at over 4,000 lbs.

We love to hear feedback from our customers, so please post or email us directly. Also we have the coated ropes on clearance for $50.00 shipped; thats about 40% off. Please email us if you would like to purchase one.

Thank you,

Ken Land
Bullet Lines
kland@bulletlines.com
www.bulletlines.com

Maestro · Posted: Dec 06, 2006 9:05 am Post subject:

Do people really get rope burn as they wait for the handle to come around to them? How tight do you hang on to the rope for that to happen? Laughing

I found that when the coated line gets chewed up it's a lot more irritating to let it run through your hands than any 'regular' rope. Bunched up, jagged plastic + 5mph (or however fast your driver turns around) = discomfort.

c-boy · Posted: Dec 06, 2006 11:01 am Post subject:

i normally wear gloves but...before then I never really felt it..just loosen your grip

Goodhands · Outlaw Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 136 City: Murfreesboro

I've always wanted to see if i just can't use my dogs yard leash it'll sink but it wont stretch!