Rope

What is Spunflex?
Affectionately referred to as the "rope for old boats" because of the natural hemp color, Spunflex© is made of fibrillated polypropylene film yarns. It is a flexible and versatile 3 strand rope, UV stabilized and resistant to acids, alkalis and sunlight resulting in excellent durability and strength, having more than twice the life of natural fibers.

Spunflex was originally developed by Roblon of Denmark for training vessels. It's now manufactured by Teufelberger of Austria and is sold exclusively in North America by Allen C. Rawl Inc.

Why use Spunflex?
Spunflex© was originally designed for use as running rigging on training vessels, that seriously work their rigging. However, the technology is not lost on the vessel that spends more time dockside such as museum vessels and living history classrooms. Under such conditions, constant exposure to the harsh sunlight can play havoc with ordinary line. After nearly two decades of use under every type of condition, Spunflex© leads the industry in performance, without exception. Click on the image to the left for a larger view of a working use of Spunflex.

Who uses Spunflex?
Below is an abbreviated list of significant traditional vessels using Spunflex© (formerly ROBLON). Some of these vessels have used Spunflex© since the early 1980's. Customer loyalty to this product is testimony to its reliability and long term cost effectiveness. We consider this fact the best possible product endorsement. The above vessels are joined by the smaller traditional boat owners, too numerous to mention.

Spunflex© is also an excellent material when employed by sail makers for fabricating bolt ropes

ALCYONE Topsail Schooner Capt. John "Sugar" Flanagan, Port Townsend, WA Charter boat

BLUENOSE II Gaff Topsail Schooner Bluenose II Preservation Trust, Nova Scotia Training

EAGLE USC GBargue, 3-masted USCG Academy, New London, CT Training Vessel

ELIZABETH II Barque, 3-masted Roanoke Festival Park, VA Living History Museum

ERNESTINA Gaff Topsail Schooner New Bedford, MA Marine Science Education

FEDERALIST Miniature Ship Maryland State Capitol, Annapolis, MD Education

HALF MOON Ship. 3-masted Croton-on-Hudson, NY, Education Sail Training

IRVING JOHNSON & EXY JOHNSON Brigantines San Pedro, CA Training, Education

KALMAR NYCKEL Ship Rigged Pinnace, 3-masted Wilmington DE Sail Training, Education

LADY MARYLAND Pungy Schooner Baltimore, MD Training, Environmental Classroom

LORINDA "Junk-rigged" Schooner Marston Mill, MA Private Yacht

MARTHA LEWIS Skipjack Havre, de Grace, MD Environmental Classroom

MARYLAND DOVE Pinnace St. Mary's City, MD Living History Museum

PILGRIM Snow Brig Dana Point, CA Education vessel

PRIDE OF BALTIMORE Square Topsail Schooner Baltimore, MD Sail Training, Goodwill Ambassador

SULTANA Square Topsail Schooner Chestertown, MD School Ship

SUSAN CONSTANT Barque Jamestown Settlement, Jamestown, VA Living History Museum, Sail Training

GODSPEED Pinnace Jamestown Settlement, Jamestown, VA Living History Museum, Sail Training

DISCOVERY Pinnace Jamestown Settlement, Jamestown, VA Living History Museum, Sail Training

USS CONSTELLATION Ship, Sloop of War Baltimore, MD Naval History Museum

USS CONSTITUTION Ship, 44-gun Frigate Boston, MA National Historical Landmark

Customer endorsement:
Preparing for a two year journey throughout the South Pacific on his Topsail Schooner, ALCYONE, Captain John "Sugar" Flanagan will be counting on Spunflex© to perform reliably in all kinds of sailing conditions. Captain Flanagan's business is chartering and he sails with his family aboard. He doesn't take unnecessary chances and he believes in the product. "I've been abusing [Spunflex] since 1989 on the ALCYONE and I was there when the PRIDE OF BALTIMORE was re-rigged with ROBLON before that. It is very durable and I work it hard. It is easy to splice and has a nice hand which just gets better as it ages a bit." - Capt. Sugar Flanagan

Availability
Good news for the small craft owner. 6-12mm Spunflex© is now available by the foot (minimum length 50'). All other sizes are sold by the coil only. Most rope is available for immediate delivery. Sizes above 32mm and 4mm marlin are available by special order with a normal delivery time of 12-16 weeks. For information regarding ordering and shipping click on "How to Order". A Price List available upon requestand all prices are FOB Bradshaw, Maryland USA

Technical Specifications