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Old 22-09-2017, 12:20   #1
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Fender whips; how important is the spliced loop?

Apologies in the advance for such a trivial post but I am curious to know from those wiser than I if the spliced loop in the standard 6' fender whip has any better function than a bowline? I am cutting up some 3/8" double braid for new fender whips thinking myself frugal when I considered the monumental question of why one would buy pre-made fender whips. Another reason for my approach is that 6' isn't ideal for me given that I typically tie from the toe rail. Thoughts?
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Old 22-09-2017, 13:13   #2
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Re: Fender whips; how important is the spliced loop?

I use oversized line for my fender whips, 1/2 inch plaited. It makes it easier to untie the knots which as you are aware has to be done frequently with fenders.....unless you are one of those who leaves them hanging over the side while makingway? (Just kidding ) I don't think a splice or a knot makes any difference.
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Old 22-09-2017, 13:24   #3
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Re: Fender whips; how important is the spliced loop?

Ours are knotted. I think the splices are supposed to look "cool". You can use whatever knot you think is appropriate, it is your boat, after all. We use bowline knots.

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Old 22-09-2017, 14:16   #4
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Re: Fender whips; how important is the spliced loop?

Bowline here as well. I don't have enough free time on my hands to do all that splicing.
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Old 22-09-2017, 14:19   #5
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Re: Fender whips; how important is the spliced loop?

It can't hurt to seize the tail end of the knot to the line that's actually holding up the fender. As they get jostled a lot, with loads cycling on & off, which is what often helps knots untie themselves. And if one comes loose, you might wind up with an ugly spot on your boat. Or if you don't want to seize them, you could use a climber's figure-8 knot. It'll look classy, & surely won't accidentally come loose. Though seizing/whipping the tail would still look sharp, especially if you use a pretty, contrasting colored cordage to do it. Make sense? It's a touch of Gucci or Prada on the cheap.
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Old 22-09-2017, 15:27   #6
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Re: Fender whips; how important is the spliced loop?

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Originally Posted by SV Bacchus View Post
Bowline here as well. I don't have enough free time on my hands to do all that splicing.
You can buy them already spliced, usually for about the same price. That's what I do.
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Old 22-09-2017, 15:43   #7
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Re: Fender whips; how important is the spliced loop?

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You can buy them already spliced, usually for about the same price. That's what I do.
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Old 22-09-2017, 15:56   #8
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Re: Fender whips; how important is the spliced loop?

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I use oversized line for my fender whips, 1/2 inch plaited. It makes it easier to untie the knots which as you are aware has to be done frequently with fenders.....unless you are one of those who leaves them hanging over the side while makingway? (Just kidding ) I don't think a splice or a knot makes any difference.


Yup. Comfortable handling of the rope seems like the biggest thing.

One school of thought is tie them high, top of lifeline, so they work as "rollers" when you come alongside. What's the thinking behind the toe rail tie?
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Old 22-09-2017, 18:22   #9
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Re: Fender whips; how important is the spliced loop?

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Yup. Comfortable handling of the rope seems like the biggest thing.

One school of thought is tie them high, top of lifeline, so they work as "rollers" when you come alongside. What's the thinking behind the toe rail tie?


They don't pull on you stanchions and cause bedding leaks.

I don't have an aluminum toe rail but I try and tie off fenders on anything other than lifelines.

None of my fender whips have loops in them. The get tied off with hitches.
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Old 22-09-2017, 20:32   #10
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Re: Fender whips; how important is the spliced loop?

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They don't pull on you stanchions and cause bedding leaks.

I don't have an aluminum toe rail but I try and tie off fenders on anything other than lifelines.

None of my fender whips have loops in them. The get tied off with hitches.
I tie the fenders to the line with a bowline. I clip the fender lines to the lower lifelines with these:
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Old 23-09-2017, 09:40   #11
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Re: Fender whips; how important is the spliced loop?

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Originally Posted by Stu Jackson View Post
I tie the fenders to the line with a bowline. I clip the fender lines to the lower lifelines with these:
Stu, they look like longline clips?
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Old 23-09-2017, 12:45   #12
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Re: Fender whips; how important is the spliced loop?

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I tie the fenders to the line with a bowline. I clip the fender lines to the lower lifelines with these:


I use a stopper knot top and bottom. And a rolling hitch on the upper lifeline. May need to change that up a little. The guest experience will be no doubt be enhanced through the use of Stu's clips !!

Would these work?

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Old 23-09-2017, 13:59   #13
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Re: Fender whips; how important is the spliced loop?

We use pre-sliced fender whips, fed through the center of one of our fender styles. Lets us use the loop on one side, as for hanging on a cleat or whatever, when that's useful... but the lines are also long enough so we can usually tie whatever knots or make any bends that are necessary.

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Old 23-09-2017, 14:09   #14
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Re: Fender whips; how important is the spliced loop?

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Originally Posted by ranger42c View Post
We use pre-sliced fender whips, fed through the center of one of our fender styles. Lets us use the loop on one side, as for hanging on a cleat or whatever, when that's useful... but the lines are also long enough so we can usually tie whatever knots or make any bends that are necessary.

-Chris


Good idea Chris [emoji106]
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Old 23-09-2017, 15:18   #15
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Re: Fender whips; how important is the spliced loop?

Our fenders are large, about 3 feet long, and we actually have two lines per fender, so that if it is desired, we can hang them horizontally, where that seems as if it will protect the topsides better. We normally use them vertically oriented, and then, the lazy line is lead back through the eye at the top of the fender, secured with a bowline. It lies a little slack, but is undoable in moment, and we like them being ready to go in either orientation in a moment.

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