Nylon Rope Thimbles, 6–26 mm

These nylon rope thimbles provide a professional way to create strong rope eyes on your boat without abrading the lines. Molded from tough, marine-grade nylon, each thimble protects the rope’s fibers from direct friction against metal cleats, chocks, or other rough surfaces. The result is a secure loop that retains its strength and shape under load, without sawing through or compressing the rope. Installation is straightforward – the thimble is inserted into the eye during splicing or knotting of the rope, and thereafter it takes the wear and preserves the loop’s form. Compared to metal thimbles, nylon thimbles are much lighter and eliminate any risk of rust, which is especially valuable for small boats (where every gram matters) and in situations where you want to avoid metal hardware clanking on deck.

Advantages & Uses: Nylon thimbles are suitable for a wide range of vessels and applications. The smallest sizes (for 6–10 mm rope) are perfect for forming loops on lines for dinghies, small fishing boats, and inflatables, where rope diameters tend to be thinner. Medium sizes (12–18 mm) are well-suited to mid-sized sailboats and motorboats – for example, mooring lines on vessels around 5–10 meters in length. The largest thimbles (20–26 mm) accommodate heavy ropes on large yachts and workboats, allowing secure eyes even on very thick mooring and anchor lines. While stainless-steel thimbles are recommended for the most extreme loads on commercial vessels, nylon thimbles perform excellently under light to moderate loads typical of recreational boats, making them a smart, cost-effective choice in most cases.

Use this nylon thimble whenever you form a loop in a load-bearing rope – for instance, an eye at the end of a dock line to drop over a cleat or bollard, an eye in an anchor line to shackle to an anchor or chain, a loop in a towing line to hook onto a bridle or ring, etc. The thimble will maintain the rope in an optimal U-shape and distribute the stress over its smooth, curved surface. It prevents the rope from kinking or cutting at sharp angles, as would happen with a bare loop under strain, thereby avoiding fiber abrasion and breakdown. Moreover, when the line is slack, the thimble preserves the open shape of the eye, making it easier to deploy again and preventing the rope from collapsing or flattening.

This product is a staple in every mariner’s toolkit – a small and inexpensive accessory that greatly enhances your ropework’s reliability. Keep a few nylon thimbles on hand for various lines on board: add them to the ends of spare anchor rodes, towing hawsers, or buoy lines to create ready-to-use eyes. Maintenance is minimal – simply rinse with fresh water after use in saltwater and occasionally inspect for any cracks over time. Thanks to UV-stabilized, resilient material, EVAL nylon thimbles remain tough and effective even after multiple seasons in sun and salt.