Main Towlines

The working length of the tow — 12-strand HMPE, 22 mm to 52 mm, in 450 m and 800 ft lengths, with soft eyes spliced each end and chafe guard over the eyes and up the line.

HMPE is the light one: it floats, it takes very little stretch, and a hand can carry a size that would need a winch in steel. The lack of stretch is the point on a main towline, and the reason a stretcher is rigged with it.