Traditionally used for lifelines, spinnaker pole trip lines, and toppling lifts on sailboats.
Vinyl-coated wire provides all the same qualities of regular 7 x 7 wire, but its smooth exterior will not catch or be abrasive to lines.

304 stainless steel
Price is per foot; full spools are 500 ft
Note: BL (nominal breaking strength) and weight (lb/100 ft) are approximate


Heavy on the technical side...

Which alloy to choose?
If you have a choice between the most common marine stainless steel alloys 304 and 316 which should you choose?

304* is the stronger (by about 15%) and more economical of the two alloys commonly used for rigging. In the middle range of corrosion resistance provided by stainless steels, it is often used for rigging on boats in cooler climates, like the Pacific Northwest of the United States.
316 stainless steel alloy provides increased corrosion resistance at the cost of some strength. It is the alloy of choice for rigging especially in tropical climates where higher temperatures and saltwater combine to make corrosion a significant concern.

*304 stainless steel is also referred to as "18/8", denoting its 18% chromium and 8% nickel components.
316 alloy adds 2 -3% molybdenum to the basic 304 formulation to increase resistance to pitting caused by chlorides.
Reference: ASM Specialty Handbook - Stainless Steels; ASM International, 1994