Rope to chain splice.

[gus]

16mm 3 strand nylon to 3/8ths chain. What is the best/strongest splice to make? A back spice through the end link or a splice with the rope strands fed in through the chain links.
I have used a back splice for the past 8 years and it seems to have been okay but now that I am replacing the rope for a longer one I am wondering as to what is really best.
Let's have your views or does anyone have a definitive answer?

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[oldsaltoz]

G'day Gus,

The eye splice thru' the chain is just fine, some are forced into using the chain to rope splice to the thing around the winch, or to stow the rope thru' the hawser pipe, if you don't have this problem, stick with what has worked for you.
I used the eye splice for many years without any problems, even inserted a thimble to reduce the wear on the last one.



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[hylas]

Sorry if I have to disagree with an "oldsalt.. oz " :0)

"The eye splice thru' the chain is just fine," Any rope "curved" with a small radius (and a 10 mm radius like the diameter of the chain link.. is a very very small radius for a rope) will loose about half of its strenght...

Up to my knowledge.. the only way to splice a rope to a chain is a "rope to chain" splice..

You will find some examples on "Jimmy Green" web site or on http://www.bluemoment.com/warpchainsplice.html

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[snowleopard]

i raised this question with the splicing expert on the marlow ropes stand at the last boat show. he said that to do a rope/chain splice was best with 8-plait and if you want to do it with 3-strand it should be unlaid and re-laid into 8 strands!

unless the rope has to go over a combination gypsy the strongest answer is an eye with a thimble and a b****y great shackle.

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[oldsaltoz]

I just spread the last link and passed the thimble thu' it, no shackle, no problems.

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[oldsaltoz]

G'day Alain,

You are correct, a sharp bend will weaken any rope, so the rope size is a factor to consider.

Nice link to the rope splice, here is a clickable link to it.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.bluemoment.com/warpchainsplice.html>http://www.bluemoment.com/warpchainsplice.html</A>



<hr width=100% size=1>Andavagoodweekend, Old Salt Oz /forums/images/icons/cool.gif

 

[vyv_cox]

Splicing the rope to chain may limit your options if you need the rope for something else, like towing, extra long springs in big tidal range and other circumstances. Using a thimble and shackle leaves the rope available for these, as someone else says, if it will go through the bow roller. I only use rope plus chain for my (Fortress) kedge which is light enough not to need to go through the bow roller.

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[duncan]

for anyone who can do a back splice the task of splitting about 16 inchs of 3 ply into 8 and then splicing into the chain isn't going to be that challenging surely?

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[Petercatterall]

Thanks, the rope to chain splice is just what I need....I think!
Is 16mm appropriate for 3/8 chain I had considered 20mm but possibly that would be a problem getting two strands through each link?
I was also considering the requirement for a long strong warp for towing etc. If I did splice 16mm onto my anchor chain could I not simply detatch the anchor (which is secured to the deck) and use the rope /chain?
Regards

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[duncan]

it obviously depends how much chain you have!
If you had say 5 metres then you could add another lenngth of warp via a shackle and have the chain in the middle . But at 1.5kg /metre 3/8ths chain is pretty heavy.
I use 14mm anchorplait with 3/8 th chain - 16 should be fine too for getting the 'eighths' through the links.
I carry a long length of warp for either towing or mooring away form my fixed lines on marina berth - sad day when the anchor line is considered the only long strong warp on the boat! (and that's before we get into 'spare anchor' lines etc.)

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[vyv_cox]

<< sad day when the anchor line is considered the only long strong warp on the boat! >>

Come the day that you sail in areas that have large tidal range, difficult anchoring locations, massive rafting, etc you will find that there are occasions when as much rope as you can carry is insufficient. We always have two 50 metre lengths of 14 mm plus my 55 metres of 16 mm Anchorplait in addition to five assorted length warps including one twice the length of the boat. There have been several occasions during bad conditions in ports around the Irish Sea, such as Dunmore East, Portpatrick, Port St Mary's, when I have used all of these and would have welcomed more.

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[Petercatterall]

Thanks,
Duncan
Your point about sad days and trying to economise on spare warp is welcome. I suppose that I have been overconcerned about loads of rope all over the boat. I shouldnt be as there is loads of room on my 32 foot MS. Its having loads of bits of suspect rope and odds and ends which I s'pose we should avoid.
I have 50 yards of 3/8 chain on the anchor at present I propose to splice on 50 yards of 16mm 3 strand.
I will preserve another 50 yards of the 16mm for the spare anchor/towing. With other odds and ends on board is this sufficient? I do want to be prepared!

Thanks again

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[gus]

Thanks to all for your comments - most helpful. I feel that by consensus the best way is the chain slice, which thankfully is what I have opted for. I used 3 strands rather than splitting it into 8, which I felt could become messy and then followed more the pattern for the 8 strand rather than the 3 strand pattern. I also whipped over each link in turn and wrapped it all in self-amalgamating tape. Should hold I recon. I use a combination rope/chain gipsy but have always had to lift the join over the gipsy as it arrives aboard. Not really a problem with one good heave. I use 33 metres of chain and now instead of 40 metres of rope I now have 100 metres. I now should have a greater choice of anchoring space available although the next problem is in suitably storing the extra 60 metres of rope for occasional use as well as another 220 metres for things like towing and sea anchors etc.

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[duncan]

it rather depends where you plan to use the boat and what you anchor for!
I would leave the whole 100yds attached and carry a thick (strong) brightly coloured floating line for a tow line - 30 meters should be enough for the tow, with a thinnish throwing line stored somewhere as well.
Absolutely agree about the 'spare bits' - picked up a discarded 4 metre length of 10mm polyester line that had another metre unraveled on Monday - jsut couldn't help myself! 10 ins later it has 2 whipped and heat shrunk ends and is coiled in the locker - no idea what I will use it for!


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