SPUNFLEX – For your running rigging

In the 1970s, the Danish rope factory ROBLON developed a high-quality, Manila-brown, 3-strand laid rope specifically for Danish sail training ships. Unlike the Perlon ropes commonly used at the time, it did not stiffen with use. On the contrary: the longer it was in service, the softer and more supple it became. In addition, it had less stretch than Perlon rope and, unlike real natural fiber rope, it was completely rot-proof.

When the 3-mast topgallant yard schooner ACTIV (well-known from MOBY DICK and other films) was being restored at a shipyard in Troense, Denmark, in the early 1980s, TOPLICHT founder Michael Thönnessen was part of the team. He looked after the ship's outfitting and later sailed as mate on her initial voyages. For a planned Mediterranean voyage, an exceptionally durable and UV-resistant rope was needed. So, Thönnessen brought several hawsers of this legendary rope on board.

During the Mediterranean cruise, SPUNFLEX proved its superiority in direct comparison with the types of rope widely used back then: the beige SPLIT rope and the woolly SPLEITEX rope. Under the intense Mediterranean sun, SPUNFLEX turned out to be about seven times more UV-resistant. Combined with its other qualities—low stretch, excellent spliceability, buoyancy, rot resistance, and the fact that it becomes increasingly supple with use—it seemed like a true "wonder rope." It was immediately added to the core range of the newly founded ship chandlery.

At the turn of the millennium, the ROBLON rope works was acquired by the Austrian rope manufacturer Teufelberger, leading to the creation of the ROBLINE brand. To this day, the rope is produced to the exact same high standards and is distributed worldwide exclusively by TOPLICHT.

It is used as running rigging aboard a renowned fleet of traditional ships and sail training vessels across the globe. Aboard the SEA CLOUD SPIRIT alone, approximately 15 km of SPUNFLEX run through the blocks. It has proven its worth in the Arctic on Arved Fuchs' shark cutter DAGMAR AAEN, just as it has on the Brazilian Navy's training ship CISNE BRANCO.

From dinghies to tall ships: SPUNFLEX is available in diameters from 6 mm to 32 mm. It is ideal for rigging that is constantly exposed to the sun, such as halyards, downhauls/cunningham, sheets, bolt ropes, and deadeye lanyards, as well as for permanent mooring lines.

Available in full coils or by the meter.