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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Heaving Line

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Brian King
1st Mate

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USA
73 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/04/2006 : 13:38:45

Can anyone tell me how to properly coil and store line for use with a throwable lifesaving ring (or Jim Bouy)? I haven't had the need to use this yet, but I want to be sure I won't end up with a knotted mess in the event I do need it.

Luna, Ericson 32-200, Fair Haven, Lake Ontario, NY

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2006 : 14:26:00

Brian,
click on the Links link in the menu at left then click on West Marine and do a search for "life sling".

Not the cheapest solution until you need to use it then it's the best of investments.

Paul

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2006 : 19:10:22

Brian,

Here is what I tried and continue to use. A pouch was made from scrap sunbrella 3" X 15". A 100' length of floating poly line was fed through a hole in the closed end and using a 3/4 piece of PVC pipe 15" long, a coil was wrapped on the pipe, then a layer of wax paper, the line run to start and another coil and paper finishing with a 3rd coil. The pouch slid over the coil and then the coil slid off the PVC pipe.

It was tested once producing a throw of about half the line but no fouling and the remaining line easily payed out. The extra drag reduces the throwing distance but I figured that a reasonable trade for instant readiness to throw and assurance of not fouling. If greater distance is needed, the caribiner will be released from the ring and the buoy heaved without line.

I confess having a lathe with a slow back gear to wind, but a winder could be made simply using a couple of pvc elbows to make a crank and with a couple of holes drilled in a wood cradle, it would be simple to wind with a helper.

btw, if needing light line... Harbor Freight and Tool has 600' spools of twisted 1/4" yellow poly for less than ten dollars.

I'm very interested in what others do.

Edited by - Arlyn Stewart on 06/04/2006 19:18:14

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2006 : 21:44:05

I use a small cylindrical fender for my heaving line. The line is threaded through both eyes and a stopper knot behind the second eye secures it. I wrap the line around the fender for tidy storage.

Swung like a lasso on the end of the line you can throw the fender quite a distance.

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Brian King
1st Mate

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USA
73 Posts

Response Posted - 06/05/2006 : 06:45:04

Arlyn, that's exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for, how to coil the line. I already have the bouy but never had a line attached. Sounds like a good method, thanks Arlyn.

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1772 Posts

Response Posted - 06/05/2006 : 10:48:17

Hi Brian,

When I was a Boy Scout a bazillion years ago, we used to coil rope for throwing in lifesaving exercises. We called it a "pineapple" I think. I have searched and searched, and I haven't come up with a website yet ... I'll keep looking ...

The basic idea is, you start by folding the line back and forth over itself in about one-foot lengths ... then you wind the remaining rope around the outside of the folds ... the line plays out from the middle, and it doesn't get tangled. Until this topic came up, I hadn't thought about a "pineapple" in years ... it might be just the ticket.

I also found another method & explanation from a West Wight Potter owner's website ... it has step-by-step instructions of another method with photos ... here is a link: [url="http://blumhorst.com/catalina27/crown-and-coil.htm"]Line coiling method[/url]

Maybe someone has a Boy Scouts Field Guide (or whatever it's called these days), and they can give us the rundown on how to coil a rope into a "pineapple" ... I can't remember how to finish it.

'Hope that helps ... 'good topic!

Edited by - on

Brian King
1st Mate

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USA
73 Posts

Response Posted - 06/05/2006 : 14:15:03

Thanks Buzz, I appreciate the info!!

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