Garware Wall Ropes has had some impressive feedback from customers using its new Sapphire rope. "I pull a four barrel (two trawls from each side of the boat). We rigged the Port side with Sapphire and the Star board with traditional nylon. The auto-pilot tacked 2-3 degrees correction, constantly for the entire trip," says one customer.
Other reports soon followed from vast expanse of GWRL customer based in Norway, Denmark, Spain, Madagascar, Australia, Iceland, Canada and South Africa.
Sapphire is a high-grade Polyethylene netting that is stronger and more resistant to abrasion than existing HDPE brands, according to the Indian based company. It says that many fishermen have now found that they can easily drop at least one twine diameter size and still maintain the knot integrity and strength. One of the main benefits from using Sapphire is fuel saving, specially relevant in the current scenario of high fuel costs. Garware Wall Ropes says that initial analysis have already suggested significant savings. Buyers in Gulf of Mexico preferred to fly in the bales to quickly replace the nylon netting they were using . In Iceland, where Sapphire was used under the trawl panels and Dyneema on top, skippers reported no major damages, nor stretch or skew meshes. They also commented that mud penetration was significantly lower making the trawl feeling lighter and new, even after a month of trawling. Sapphire is made in both braided and twisted style. Garware research team tested the new rope at external laboratories in Scotland and USA. Sapphire is use in diverse applications such as pelagic trawls, predator nets, purse seines and combination ropes. Garware Wall Ropes collaborates closely with its loft customers to develop special characteristics for specific applications such as cod ends.
