Baller LOTW Posted October 7, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 7, 2021 What are you using to prevent the rope melting from the pilon on older boats that don't have the swivel thingy that prevents friction. We have used wax and soap but my rope looks really bad even with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Mastercrafter Posted October 7, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 7, 2021 Perhaps it's just wearing? I have only used my current rope (new this Spring) on pylons with bushings, and because most my sets are @ -15, my -15 loop is pretty much shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BrennanKMN Posted October 7, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 7, 2021 Change your rope more frequently. If your loops are warn to the point of looking melted your rope is too old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller dave2ball Posted October 7, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 7, 2021 @LOTW the rope will not melt from pylon friction. What may look like melting is really wear from skiing. Post a pic How old is your rope????? Most likely it wear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller MDB1056 Posted October 7, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 7, 2021 progress faster to shorter loops....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BraceMaker Posted October 8, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 8, 2021 Just wetsand it really smooth like 4000 grit rip a strip off and bring it to a super smooth finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BraceMaker Posted October 8, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 8, 2021 @Mastercrafter for freeskiing take your rope disassemble it and put all those short bits first. Ski 15 off then .5m off that and so forth. they are all lines between 15 and 28 then. Once you get so you are skiing to 32 switch back to a normal rope its like a masterline progressor rope but free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller jjackkrash Posted October 8, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 8, 2021 If your rope is that worn it is time for a new one, unless you really want to tempt fate with tennis or golf elbow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ScottScott Posted October 8, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 8, 2021 Maybe you need a new boat... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Killer Posted October 8, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 8, 2021 Go shorter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skialex Posted October 8, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 8, 2021 @LOTW ok... best thing is to buy a new rope... but if you really thing the rope is good and it’s just the red section, you can either ask a friend who is not using it, i for example remove red and orange from new and donate them to ski schools, or if it’s not that bad yet... you can turn it around and use the other side loop. Or maybe you need a new boat as @ScottScott suggested! ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller LOTW Posted October 8, 2021 Author Baller Share Posted October 8, 2021 New Optimized 2.0 this year with under 40 sets. I wish I could go shorter and I would like a new boat but grateful that I have this one. Does anyone make a pilon "pilon bushing" that I can retro fit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller dave2ball Posted October 8, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 8, 2021 @LOTW no there is no adapter for pylons for bushings. What year and make? Check the pylon for any rough spots and take an Emory cloth or steel wool and polish the area in question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skialex Posted October 8, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 8, 2021 Another thing you can do is to remove 38 or 39off section and put it back on the end loop of the 15 off. If your pylon is toasted... find some good 50cm sections from other ropes to use as a switch and take out 50cm from your main line. Periodically just change the switch ropes. Doing this will prevent wear in all line length loops... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ DW Posted October 8, 2021 Baller_ Share Posted October 8, 2021 @LOTW - Going with the assumption the pylon surface is an issue and wearing the rope, with your question on a pylon bushing perhaps this: maybe a piece of thin wall PVC tube with the correct ID (slightly smaller than the pylon), slit vertically and snap over the pylon. It is interesting you are having an issue not widely brought up as a problem so perhaps some digging to see if something else is causing it such as surface roughness, burrs etc as noted previously. Are you sure this happened over time or perhaps a one time issue caused the rope burn such as not getting the rope in the 'slot' a time or two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BobF Posted October 8, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 8, 2021 Are you looping the rope through itself to keep it tight on the pylon? If so, the friction of the rope against its own loop will make it wear faster. Plus, you're robbing yourself of an extra inch of line. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller DavidN Posted October 8, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 8, 2021 I’m happy to send you the 15off section of my Masterline Optimized rope. It is unused. PM me. On another note - @dave2ball are you somehow affiliated with Masterline? If so, could you please PM me, I would like to clarify something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BS74 Posted October 8, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 8, 2021 You could add a new loop on either side of the worn loop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller LOTW Posted October 8, 2021 Author Baller Share Posted October 8, 2021 Not looping it through itself, thanks for the 15 off offer but I'm in Canada eh? Adding a loop or more rope doesn't solve the problem. No burs or anything on the pilon. One thing I did notice last time out is that the webbing from the shock tube, which is usually between the rope and the pilon was not and I could feel the rope moving. The shock tube is ancient and I can't believe it's still in one piece, an H2Osmosis item from Trophy Lakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ Rednucleus Posted October 9, 2021 Baller_ Share Posted October 9, 2021 @LOTW Does this look like your melted rope? Just way too many sets; I plead guilty. This is my rope purchased in 2017 (let the beatings begin - should have replaced it a year ago) almost all sets at 15 off. A great ski pal handed me a new one last week. Skiers don't let their friends ski with old ropes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller LOTW Posted October 9, 2021 Author Baller Share Posted October 9, 2021 No, it doesn't. Again, new this season with under 40 sets on it. Just melted on the inside of the loop and not frayed at all, perfect otherwise. It's like there should be some kind of lubricant to reduce friction and heat but I don't know what to use or maybe some sort of bushing or liner between the pilon and the rope like the newer boats have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller scuppers Posted October 9, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 9, 2021 Try some “dry silicone lubricant” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller vtmecheng Posted October 9, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 9, 2021 Most silicon lubricants have petroleum products in them, only the more expensive specialty stuff and “personal products” don’t. I wouldn’t use that on a rope. Do you make sure to get the loop good and wet before putting it on the pylon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller dchristman Posted October 9, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 9, 2021 Point of information - the melting temp of polypropylene is around 300f. That's a bit hot to the touch. Lube your rope!? Are you people serious!? To the people suggesting it, do you really do that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller LeonL Posted October 9, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 9, 2021 @LOTW post a picture of that. I'd like to see what you're referring to as "melting" 40 sets on the same line length shouldn't show anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Andre Posted October 9, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 9, 2021 Who was the first one with a swivel pylon ? MC or Malibu ...and is CC too cheap to pay royalties to their rivals? My ski finish in 16.95 but my ass is out of tolerance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BraceMaker Posted October 9, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 9, 2021 @Andre not sure on Malibu but MC started equipping it on 1989s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller dave2ball Posted October 9, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 9, 2021 @LOTW unless you can post a pic these comments and suggestions will go on and on. Pictures will help you solve this issue. @Andre MC was first with the Teflon sleeve in late 80’s early 90’s then Malibu. Nautique may not want to pay royalties. But Nautique is the only solid one piece pylon left out of the big three. I ski behind MC and Nautique and my rope wears no matter what. Just in different places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller MDB1056 Posted October 9, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 9, 2021 @LOTW - it’s physically impossible for the rope to “melt” because of your pylon unless your boat is on fire, in which case everything is toast. Also Pylon - vs Pilon. Housekeeping Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller LOTW Posted October 9, 2021 Author Baller Share Posted October 9, 2021 Pylon ok. I’ll try and post some pics, the weather is just crappy and the rope is in my boat. Until then…. Thanks for all the responses and ideas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skialex Posted October 9, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 9, 2021 @Andre as far as I know... Malibu has the patent. @vtmecheng the reason of using silicone grease or spray instead of Vaseline, it’s because it is not petroleum based. So if you are right and not 100% sure one should use the silicone spray/grease used in the diving industry. Totally not petroleum based... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller vtmecheng Posted October 9, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 9, 2021 @skialex there are definitely a lot of threads in diving forums regarding some silicone lubs including petroleum products. They also recommend the use of diving specific spray for equipment. That said, Many here ski a Nautique and don’t “burn” ropes or have problems. Sure, they wear out over time but that’s what a rope does. Beyond getting the loop wet, you shouldn’t put anything on the rope or pylon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skialex Posted October 9, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 9, 2021 @vtmecheng i totally agree with you, I wouldn’t put any lubricant on a rope. And I really want to see a picture of the rope in question... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ swbca Posted October 10, 2021 Baller_ Share Posted October 10, 2021 Ski Rope Folk Lore . . All skiers should examine and replace worn sections of their ropes when needed, including the bridal. If you have had a rope break you may have learned it can cause rib bone and ligament injuries that may cause permanent problems for your skiing. Fortunately AWSA made sure tournament committees were better equipped at some point in history. But before then, I only weighed 135 pounds when I broke 2 ropes in one set at a tournament in IOWA. Then broke the Brummel hook they used to use to connect handles at a tournament in ILLINOIS. All on a tight rope to the wake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller LeonL Posted October 10, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 10, 2021 I think that most of us agree that the rope didn't "melt" nor does the rope / pylon connection need lubrication. Wear is the culprit, but why after only 40 sets if the pylon surface is smooth? Faulty rope? Not likely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller dave2ball Posted October 10, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 10, 2021 @LOTW Who MFG the rope? Was it a quality rope? Or a. Budget minded purchase? 40 sets is not much to show wear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller jhughes Posted October 10, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 10, 2021 Regarding Nautique pylon design my guess would be they decided not to have moving parts, fasteners, bearings, etc on the part that connects the skier to the boat. Which I agree with. One piece of machined metal, fine with me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RGilmore Posted October 10, 2021 Members Share Posted October 10, 2021 @Andre - MC has a patent on their "frictionless" pylon. Not sure if it's old enough to be in the public domain yet, but anyone with the extra pocket money can legally have a machine shop replicate it on their own personal pylon, regardless of boat brand. @LOTW - I'll bet your rope hasn't "melted" at all. What happened is the pressure on the inside of the loop flattened the rope fibers together and the constant rubbing polished the newly-flat inner surface to a high shine. A little bit dust/grime rubbed into that shiny surface can easily resemble a sort of "charred" appearance as well. As always, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller lefty Posted October 10, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 10, 2021 Curious to know how often folks change the rope generally, heavy use and uv must also affect the performance and longevity even if multiple loops are used on the pylon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller dave2ball Posted October 10, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 10, 2021 @Andre MC has had the frictionless pylon for 20 plus years. So yes it’s public domain. @lefty depending on the level and the frequency of your skiing it would be a good idea to change the rope out at least once a year. Personally I go through 2 ropes per year skiing average 20 days a month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Vernon Reeve Posted October 11, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 11, 2021 In addition to posting pic of the rope, also post pic of how you connect the rope to the pylon (to prove that it's not too tight). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller LeonL Posted October 11, 2021 Baller Share Posted October 11, 2021 @dave2ball he said earlier that it is an Optimized 2.0, so quality rope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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