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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Splicing lines

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/07/2005 : 08:56:51

I need to learn how to correctly splice the lines that are currently tied in large knots on my traveler-they interfere with it working correctly when it gets towards the rail (on my Capri, the traveler is mounted in the cockpit forward of the tiller).

I've searched the forums and come up empty handed, anyone recommend some way to learn this?

Thanks!

Rick

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2005 : 10:36:29

Rick,

The folks who make and sell line are very eager to provide you with instructions on how to do this. (<i>I think part of their motivation has to do with the amount of butchered up line that has to be discarded during the learning process.</i>

) Check with [url="http://www.samsonrope.com/pdf/PgMSpliceInst.pdf"]Samson[/url], [url="http://www.neropes.com/splice/default.htm"]New England Ropes[/url], etc. for helpful brochures and web-based instruction. I believe it's also described in Chapmans, which I expect most boaters have collecting dust on their bookshelves.

Get good tools. Samson sells a kit of aluminum fids that work well. I haven't had good luck using the plastic fids. If the kit doesn't include a long pusher-style fid, get one of those too. Felt tipped pens in a few different colors and some masking tape will come in handy.

At the risk of pointing out the obvious I suggest you start with a disposable piece of large new line. Maybe try putting a loop in the end of a long piece of 3/8" nylon that could then become a dockline if it's still long enough by the time you have a loop in it.

The first time you read through the instructions you may despair of ever succeeding. The first time you try it will reinforce that despair. When you eventually do make a splice that looks like the one in the book, you will know a feeling of great nautical satisfaction, and will feel entitled to speak nautical to everyone you meet for the rest of the day.

By the way, I find splicing 3-strand much easier than double-braid, but I don't use much of it on my boat.

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

thaind
Navigator

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Canada
145 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2005 : 14:37:36

Ditto Leon's message.

You will need a different fid for each line size. The coloured markers are a good idea. Use colour coding for the A, B, C marks or you will get confused. Do not expect the sequence of operations to make any logical sence for a long time, and check off each step when done.

Good luck.

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1772 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2005 : 15:23:06

Hi Rick,

Not long ago there was an article in "Good Old Boat" about making splices ... it is in the May/June '05 issue, on page 87, and the title is "Snakes, nightmares, and double-braid."

In case you don't subscribe to "Good Old Boat," don't worry ... there wasn't much in the article about how to splice the lines, but it did site the best reference that the author had found for splicing double-braid line. According to the author, he found the best description in a book by Brion Toss, <u>The Rigger's Apprentice</u> ... there is an eight-page chapter entitled "The Double-Braid Eye-splice Made Human."

Even with the instructions, the author is quick to point out that it is not easy ... just like Leon and Derek pointed out, it is a confusing process that will require you to follow the instructions step-by-step, almost no matter how many of them you do. Like Leon said, three-strand line is pretty easy to splice, but most of us don't have a lot of use for three-strand line.

'Hope that helps ... let us know how your splicing skills are coming along ... good luck!

Edited by - on

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2005 : 06:51:43

Thanks everyone.

I think for the time being I'm going to leave this to the pro's. I've been learning so much about the boat and sailing that if I add this to my list, I'm afraid I might not get on the water this season. Of course with the weather we are having in the Northeast, there really hasn't been a season yet.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2005 : 11:57:12

Take a look at New Englands website:

http://www.newenglandropes.com/splice/default.htm

It takes a while to be able to do double braid and have it come out nicely. Riggers Apprentice - previously listed above is another excellent resource as is Ashley's book of Knots (if you can find one).

I'm having a hard time trying to figure out what you need to splice though... Do you have any pics?

Edited by - on

thaind
Navigator

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Canada
145 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2005 : 22:41:39

I just found out that my local Chandelry charges $20 a pop for an eye splice. Pretty good incentive.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.