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Suggested rope lengths for starters

C

CJnGA

Member
Joined
Sep 20, 2019
Messages
45
Hey folks.. New here. After getting back into hunting, and really only having access to public land, I'm really interested in the flexibility of saddle hunting.

I tried searching through the forums to find this info, but maybe I just missed it. My question is what rope lengths would be suggested for getting started? Right now I'm leaning toward a SitDrag + RCH setup to test the waters.

I'm thinking 1/4" Amsteel blue for bridge on the SitDrag. I'll do whoopie slings to start with until I figure out what fixed length works best for me. I made Amsteel whoopie slings for my hammocks and like how easy and sturdy they are.
I'm thinking 11mm Predator rope for safety tether and probably lineman rope as well.
I'll probably go with prusiks to start off with for hooking bridge to tether and for an adjustable lineman rope. I was thinking 8mm OpLux for the prusiks based on what I've read here (Hoping @DanO gets some more in stock soon.).

Is there anything else I'm missing rope-wise? What lengths of rope should I start out with. I don't mind have spare laying around, but don't want to have so much 'spare' laying around that my wife starts eyeballing me every time I'm placing an order.

TIA for suggestions.
 
I had this question 6 months ago and kind of muddled through. I think 11 feet of rope for tether and LB is about right, After knots it will be shorter. You can always cut a foot or 2 off of it later if it bothers you. I have a few 9 foot pieces that are now too short. :angry: I use them for testing prusik knots hanging from the pullup bar in a doorway. You seem to everything else figured out.
 
i could be wrong, but i'm not sure i've seen oplux used as a prussik before. there are more traditional choices of cordage for prusiks. however, i am using oplux i got from DanO as my tether, and i LOVE it. i started with 10ft and the finished length with loops is just shy of 7 foot.
 
Thanks for the intel. I just assumed OpLux for prusik since it was an 8mm diameter. I saw where DIY Sportsman was suggesting 8mm Petzl Vector 8mm Rescue Cord, which I can't seem to find easily, so I assumed the OpLux would be a good substitute. I'm definitely open to other suggestions though. Curious why Oplux might not be ideal for prussik. Is it stiff/slick so that it doesn't bite down hard?

Thanks again for all the feedback.
 
@CJnGA I bought
Bee Line 8mm (5/16”) Prusik Cord by Yale

to go with my Predator rope from WesSpur, and I'm really liking them. Here's a link if you want to check them out.

Bee Line 8mm (5/16") Eye & Eye Prusik

Heat-resistant prusik cords have become popular for tree climbers looking for added durability and safety in their friction hitches. Heat resistant fibers like Technora or Kevlar add a measure of safety in that they can keep a prusik from melting through in case of a rapid descent.
www.wesspur.com www.wesspur.com
 
Depends on the size of the trees you hunt, but 8-12’ of OpLux would be enough for a LB or tether, leaving you plenty of rope for knots. I like smaller trees, so I think my LB is like 8’ with knots.
 
beenhunting said:
@CJnGA I bought
Bee Line 8mm (5/16”) Prusik Cord by Yale

to go with my Predator rope from WesSpur, and I'm really liking them. Here's a link if you want to check them out.

Bee Line 8mm (5/16") Eye & Eye Prusik

Heat-resistant prusik cords have become popular for tree climbers looking for added durability and safety in their friction hitches. Heat resistant fibers like Technora or Kevlar add a measure of safety in that they can keep a prusik from melting through in case of a rapid descent.
www.wesspur.com www.wesspur.com
Click to expand...
Did you buy the bulk length, sewn, or spliced?

I plan to order some of this and wondered if I'd be able to melt the ends after cutting it, but wasn't sure it would work since it's heat resistant.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
 
sweats said:
Did you buy the bulk length, sewn, or spliced?

I plan to order some of this and wondered if I'd be able to melt the ends after cutting it, but wasn't sure it would work since it's heat resistant.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I bought the 28" sewn Prusik.
 
I’d suggest reading the Oplux thread and since buying some I won’t go back to using larger diameter rope. It’s size/weight ratio makes it worth the lil extra money
 
Wellp.. Thanks again for all the intel. I somehow missed the long Oplux thread. I saw a couple of others where it was mentioned, but totally whiffed on the major thread. Sounds like Oplux is the 'new' Predator. :)

Thanks again for all the info!
 
beenhunting said:
I bought the 28" sewn Prusik.
Click to expand...

Well, I just bought 20' of Bee Line 8mm (5/16”) Prusik Cord by Yale and a sewn Prusik of it as well. I called Wesspur and asked about melting the ends after cutting and they recommended taping the end and cutting midway through the tape.

Thanks for the suggestion on that, the prusik cord that came on my setup is rated for 2,760 lb, which is probably fine, but once you deduct loss of strength due to knots (figure 8 on a bight for the carabiner and a blake's hitch, I'd feel a lot better with a stronger cord.
 
Digging some more, I'm now thinking of 24' of 8mm OpLux. That should give me enough for tether and LMB: 12' each to make 9' finished ropes (with knots and/or loops).

I'm looking at about 7' of Amsteel blue to make a whoopie sling that adjusts from 30-34". Based on Simpson specs for bury lengths on whoopie slings, I can't go any shorter than about 30ish inches with 1/4" Amsteel blue. That seems like it will be too long, but we'll see.

I guess I'll go with Beal Jammy for the prusik for now as that seems to be the current 'go-to' for prusik on the OpLux. I think I will go with the longer Jammy and cut the stitched seam out - seems like that stiff seam would get in the way at some point.

Thanks again for all the tips. Keep 'em coming. Hopefully this helps someone else out in the future.
 
backstrap19 said:
i could be wrong, but i'm not sure i've seen oplux used as a prussik before. there are more traditional choices of cordage for prusiks. however, i am using oplux i got from DanO as my tether, and i LOVE it. i started with 10ft and the finished length with loops is just shy of 7 foot.
Click to expand...
Is this with one figure 8 knot for the eye and a stopper knot on the tag end?
 
CJnGA said:
Hey folks.. New here. After getting back into hunting, and really only having access to public land, I'm really interested in the flexibility of saddle hunting.

I tried searching through the forums to find this info, but maybe I just missed it. My question is what rope lengths would be suggested for getting started? Right now I'm leaning toward a SitDrag + RCH setup to test the waters.

I'm thinking 1/4" Amsteel blue for bridge on the SitDrag. I'll do whoopie slings to start with until I figure out what fixed length works best for me. I made Amsteel whoopie slings for my hammocks and like how easy and sturdy they are.
I'm thinking 11mm Predator rope for safety tether and probably lineman rope as well.
I'll probably go with prusiks to start off with for hooking bridge to tether and for an adjustable lineman rope. I was thinking 8mm OpLux for the prusiks based on what I've read here (Hoping @DanO gets some more in stock soon.).

Is there anything else I'm missing rope-wise? What lengths of rope should I start out with. I don't mind have spare laying around, but don't want to have so much 'spare' laying around that my wife starts eyeballing me every time I'm placing an order.

TIA for suggestions.
Click to expand...
I use harbor freight rope, it is dirt cheap strong. The camouflage 3/8 rope is rated for 300 lbs and the red Diamond 3/8 rope is rated for 600 lbs. They also have 1/4. Please don't hate on me because I'm a cheapo! Lol
 
BoTheHunter said:
I use harbor freight rope, it is dirt cheap strong. The camouflage 3/8 rope is rated for 300 lbs and the red Diamond 3/8 rope is rated for 600 lbs. They also have 1/4. Please don't hate on me because I'm a cheapo! Lol
Click to expand...

You should look into how much force is applied by falling objects. I wouldn’t use harbor freight rope to tie my shoes.
 
It specifically states not rated for climbing. I’ll let others chime in with exact weight that would be seen on a rope by 300lbs at just a few feet. It’s your decision I’m just stating it’s probably not very safe and although it’s cheap, what’s your life worth. Guys around here tend to take safety very seriously for good reason! Few years Ago is probably do the same but now I look at my two beautiful children and wouldn’t think twice of hanging from something not specifically rated for it.
 

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BoTheHunter said:
The tetrd mantis is rated for 300 lbs to so...
Click to expand...
The Mantis has been tested to loads in excess of 8000 pounds.

Tethered in Petersen's Bowhunting Equipment Issue

But keep in mind, you never read of rescues stating "they were found at the bottom of the crag with a broken knot"
saddlehunter.com

Please be aware that the forces generated from a dynamic fall of any length will likely be in the 1000's of pounds. Using non-climb rated rope and equipment in a life support situation is just asking for problems. Please consider your loved ones and seriously consider using climb rated rope.
 
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