Windlass won't feed splice, tips?

[JiminVA]

This winter I had a Maxwell HRC8FF windlass installed. Supposed to excel at feeding both chain (5/16) and rope (9/16). That it does but it balks at the splice. Using it for the first time today I had to just manually shove the splice down the hawse hole until the chain caught on the gypsy.

The splice is a neatly done tapered back splice in three-strand nylon.

I can't go to all chain. At least not right now

Any tips to get the windlass to feed the splice?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[motion30]

Did you use a tapered splice? My old windows would tear up this place too. I finally went all chain

[JiminVA]

Originally Posted by motion30

Did you use a tapered splice? My old windows would tear up this place too. I finally went all chain

Yes, tapered back splice. The windlass absolutely refuses to grab and feed the splice.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by JiminVA

This winter I had a Maxwell HRC8FF windlass installed. Supposed to excel at feeding both chain (5/16) and rope (9/16). That it does but it balks at the splice. Using it for the first time today I had to just manually shove the splice down the hawse hole until the chain caught on the gypsy.

The splice is a neatly done tapered back splice in three-strand nylon.

I can't go to all chain. At least not right now

Any tips to get the windlass to feed the splice?

Thanks in advance for your help.

My maxwell sometimes has this problem, got better after a bit of use but sometimes I still have to keep a bit of tension on the rode inside the anchor locker until the splice has passed the gypsy.

[JiminVA]

Thanks. I hope it gets better with time. There's no way I can easily get to the rode below decks to put tension on.

[UNCIVILIZED]

You may need to go to an Irony Splice. They tend to feed fairly well, being thinner than a regular splice. The instructions for them are in Brion Toss's book I think. And stiffening up each of the strands of the line with hair gel prior to unraveling things fully for splicing helps a lot.

Also, said splice has been discussed a lot here on CF, so it'll come up if you do a search.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by UNCIVILIZED

You may need to go to an Irony Splice. They tend to feed fairly well, being thinner than a regular splice. The instructions for them are in Brion Toss's book I think. And stiffening up each of the strands of the line with hair gel prior to unraveling things fully for splicing helps a lot.

Also, said splice has been discussed a lot here on CF, so it'll come up if you do a search.

What he said. Feeds like silk.

Also #3858 in Ashley's Book of Knots.

https://www.practical-sailor.com/iss...t_12172-1.html

[StuM]

Originally Posted by thinwater

What he said. Feeds like silk.

Also #3858 in Ashley's Book of Knots.

https://www.practical-sailor.com/iss...t_12172-1.html

???

My ABOK (Corrected version 1993) only goes up to #3854


Edit: I guess you meant #2858 (Link or Chain Splice)

[JiminVA]

Great tip on the irony splice. I've ordered the Brion Toss book and ABOK.

I looked to see if there was a video on YouTube showing the making of this splice but didn't have any luck. Is there a video out there? If so, could you point me to it?

[estarzinger]

for anyone interested . . . here is the relevant ashley picture and text:



I will comment that I had pretty good luck getting normal crown splices to go thru a gypsy by making the splice 'softer/looser' than 'normal. Most people try to make them pretty tight and firm, and that is counter productive for this particular application. There really will be minimal chafe at the chain contact point, even if made 'softer'.

It is quite simple in concept, but I personally found the irony splice one of the hardest to make consistently good (getting the strand to lay neatly back down in the 'long part' of the splice; and yes I know about the hair gel trick), and you are fundamentally disrupting the lay of the line so if it is bad it can be rather weak. Some rope brands/models seem to do this easier/better than others. But that may all just be due to my lack of skill.

[JiminVA]

Maybe my problem is that I made the splice quite tight. I thought that was the correct approach. I can try making it looser and see if that helps it feed better.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by StuM

???

My ABOK (Corrected version 1993) only goes up to #3854


Edit: I guess you meant #2858 (Link or Chain Splice)

Correct. I would add that you should expect that your first 2 attempts will be throw-aways, particularly if you have never made a long splice. I suppose the need depends on the windlass--some are more tolerant than others.

Also, Starzinger is correct in that a looser splice helps with the crown splice.

[toddster8]

I had to use a long splice. Might be the same thing as an irony splice. Looks like the top one in this pic:

[JiminVA]

I think that's the one Brion Toss calls a shovel splice. Supposed to be weaker than other splices. The irony splice is not woven through the chain.

[JOHNMARDALL]

John Mardall here from Vetus Maxwell. Sorry to hear that you're having a problem with your new windlass. The spllcing advice already provided is good, but it you need more help contact me direct and I'll hook you up with Maxwell windlass guru Will Vrooman. We'll stay with you until you're completely satisfied with your new Maxwell.
If you haven't already bought new rope, please consider 8 strand brait, which will settle flat into your chain locker as though it were chain, without the bird's nests, tangles and hockles of 3 ply twist (especially if it's gone into the chain locker wet and then dried out).

Best Regards
John Mardall
Vetus Maxwell Group.