splicing modern yacht ropes

[angusbeare]

I'm trying to learn to splice yacht braid and dyneema etc but having a real struggle with books and online articles.

I think I really need a practical course. Anyone out there know of a weekend or evening course in the Chichester/Brighton area where I can get hands on instruction in splicing?

 

[MoodySabre]

I know you wanted a course but this online guide for braid is pretty good
http://www.sw-marine.co.uk/acatalog/Braid_on_Braid_Splice.html

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Just a thought. Why not try to contact some rope makers and see if they know of somewhere?

 

[Skyva_2]

Not sure you will find a course, but a half hour demo by a rigger may be worth paying for? I watched the rigger at Deacons Swanwick splice a couple of spinnaker sheet shackles for me and it was awe inspiring! You would see the best tools for the job also.

 

[Airassmith]

I did some this year and learnt from the excellent Samson rope instructions. I spliced eyes in Dyneema and polyester double braid and stripped a couple of halyards. It takes time the first few goes but gets easier.

http://www.samsonrope.com/index.cfm?page=28

 

[Boat44]

Not heard of any courses. But have you loked at the Jimmy green website. Some useful instructions/guides to splicing. Without checking I think Marlow have simlar for their stuff.

 

[angusbeare]

thanks everyone, useful stuff indeed.

I took a look at the sw marine site and found their demo really helpful. I think where I've been going wrong is that I bought a splicing kit that was a load of rubbish. It contained some plastic fids
which aren't hollow, just have a hole at one end and a pusher.

It's a real struggle to push the core or cover through with these tools.

So, I found the ss hollow Selma fids at SW marine and will order some.

I'll persevere and am sure to get there in the end.

If there are any riggers out there reading, how about setting up a course? Or do you want to keep the secrets to yourselves?

 

[davidwf]

I always get stuck at step 7 where you insert the cover into the core I just cannot do it, I am beginning to wonder if the rope I have is not braid on braid but braid onto a solid core if such a thing exsist.

I have selma fids.

 

[Skyva_2]

Fids and pushers may work but all the demos I have seen have been with wands - the puller rods with a hole at the end. I have used them with some success, though not as neat as a professional.

 

[KenMcCulloch]

[ QUOTE ]
Fids and pushers may work but all the demos I have seen have been with wands - the puller rods with a hole at the end. I have used them with some success, though not as neat as a professional.

[/ QUOTE ]
I made my own rather effective splicing needle/wand out of a wire coathanger bent o provide a big loop at one end for pushing and pulling, and a narrow eye at the business end. Works a treat and cost me about half an hour's labour. Selma fids are also very useful.

 

[Malabar]

Using new rope makes a huge difference. Practising on old used rope is heartbreaking.

 

[Anwen]

Some time ago (at least 2 years) a few from the PBO forum got together and organised a day at Plymouth Sailing School learning how to splice different types of rope. We did 3 strand, octoplait and braid on strand, using needles, but didn't do braid on braid using the hollow fids. It was a good day, and cost around 75 squids. The instructor was a bosun from the Navy - not surprising with Devonport round the corner.

I have since practised from time to time, and am getting reasonably proficient, but I still have to look at the instructions to do the braided lines! Using new rope is absolutely essential for the braids, as you need covers and cores as soft as possible. I have pondered whether washing and then using fabric conditioner on old rope would work but never tried it.

For instructions, I use the Marlow book and the diagrams which came with my splicing kit. The SW Marine web pages are good, but don't cover braid on strand.

 

[spinny]

They do now.