Question of the week - Rope Strength

[Ken Juul]

A normal safe working load for nylon rope is?

[Ken Juul]

This is a hard one to answer. According to the USCG, 20% is the correct answer.  However, most manufacturers say working load is 5-12% of tensile or breaking strength so the USCG answer is a bit generous...but they don't have to worry about getting sued.  Typical 3 strand ½" nylon rope has a tensile strength of 6400 lbs, therefore the max safe working load is: 1280 by USCG, 320-768 by the manufacturer's chart I used.   

[Ron Hill]

Ken : You eluded to it, as there is a real strength difference between 3 strand and braid on braid and single braided lines.