Whip or splice running rigging?

[Dyflin]

I need to replace the running rigging on my 23' boat and I'm just wondering if I can simply whip the stainless steel eye onto the halyards or buy the pre spliced lines (at quite a high additional cost incl. p&p)? At the moment the halyards are whipped on the boat, but is this really up to the job?

 

[john_morris_uk]

Its quite unusual to have stainless steel eyes in running rigging - especially on a 23' boat. Even on boats 50 foot or more, the shackles are often spliced on without thimbles.

Splicing new line isn't that difficult - but you do need the tools to do it. I taught myself years ago with the book open in front of me and there are some online guides available.

If you don't fancy spicing yourself, the splices shouldn't cost more than a fiver or so each from a rigger.

Some people ties the shackles on with a sort of locking hitch, which I am not going to try and describe in words!

 

[srm]

A more secure method if you don't want to splice braided line is to sew the tail to the rope first with stitches through both then make a very tight whipping around the lot. I use nylon twine as each turn can be stretched on and the finished whipping shrinks into the line. Used to put an eye in a halyard on a 40 footer (in a hurry) and it has lasted for years.

 

[morgandlm]

Having taught myself to splice double braid over the winter, I would recommend that you do the same. It's not difficult, it's very satisfying and looks good when you get it right. I used the Jimmy Green website where you can find the tools you need and a splicing guide. There are also a number of free downloadable guides if you search around.

For double braid eye splices you only really need to buy a universal fid, some whipping/sewing thread and a couple of needles. I also bought a sailor's palm and a hollow fid for doing three strand splicing. You also need scissors, sticky tape and a sharp knife but you are likely to have these already, although I have to compete with SWMBO for the decent scissors!
Regards
Morgan

 

[gandy]

Or you could tie the halyard onto the shackles - or directly onto the sail. A knot allows the sail or shackle to be hoisted neared to the top of the mast.

A knot weakens the rope more than a splice does, but the chances are your halyard size is determined by stretch and handling anyway.

Tony S

 

[bilbobaggins]

You certainly don't need stainless eyes spliced or whipped into your halyards. That is abnormal.

On a 23' boat, you can very satisfactorily attach a 'captive pin shackle' onto your halyard(s) by using an Anchor Hitch. ( See here: Knottery )

....and secure the short end tidily with a whipping. This arrangement will not chafe, will keep your shackle handy and free from loss, and can readily be undone if required. It's a whole lot cheaper than buying spliced eyes.


/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[bumblefish]

Anyone tried a figure of eight doubled through the sail eye or shackle? Difficult to describe, but essentially, a figure of eight with the bitter end? passed through the eye and back around the figure of eight bend?

 

[bumblefish]

Found it here, Fig of eight follow through

 

[damo]

This is the knot most climbers use to tie onto the climbing rope, although personally I prefer the rethreaded bowline (see my sig) - more compact than the fig8, MUCH easier to undo after loading, and quicker to tie.

The fig8 is usually shown with a stopper knot, and most climbers do it this way, but as long as the tail is more than 3-4" long it is unlikely to work loose. The tail can also be tucked back into the knot, but then it is a real b**** to undo.

The fig8 is the strongest knot AFAIK, but the yosemite bowline is only a few % behind.

 

[fireball]

Use that one all the time on the Dinghy main halyard ... not on the big boat as we've got shackles already fitted ....

 

[bumblefish]

I have just ordered a new main and chute from Arun and I think the fig 8 follow was what the very nice chap was attempting to explain to me, in my simple terms!

 

[William_H]

I am with TonyS don't have shackles but simply bowline the halyard to the sail cringle. The advantage unless you leave it attached all the time is that each time you tie the halyard onto the sail you do it at a different place which moves the wear part of the halyard both at the sail and at the mast head block other turning blocks and cleats. ie halyard lasts much longer. olewill

 

[Spuddy]

Haven't found the anchor hitch easy to undo. My understanding is that it is in fact selected where it is desrable for a knot to lock up and maybe only be cut free.

 

[ColinHuggins]

Agreed, knots every time, not a splice in sight on my last except for eyes on the end of fender lanyards. But Bilbo, that pic of an Anchor Knot looks very like a round turn and two half hitches to my untutored gaze . . .

 

[gandy]

[ QUOTE ]
.. But Bilbo, that pic of an Anchor Knot looks very like a round turn and two half hitches to my untutored gaze . . .

[/ QUOTE ] Similar, but the first hitch goes under the round turn. Also called "fisherman's bend", although it's a hitch.

(Now I think of it, the "fisherman's knot" is a bend.)

Tony S

 

[GMac]

Nice tidy splices all over my boat but then I splice for a job and are too lazy to tie knots anyway. Splices don't come up when sails floging around either.