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06-06-2023, 17:32
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#1
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: May 2021
Boat: Passport 41
Posts: 376
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Splicing stiff nylon to chain
Hi folks!
I have some never-used-before 3-strand nylon rope that I'd like to splice onto my anchor chain. I've tried a few times to do it following this procedure: https://www.boatingmag.com/how-to-ma...-chain-splice/ but failed because the rope is very stiff (probably because it's old, albeit clearly never used) and I can't tuck the strands back without untwisting.
Since my gypsy can't handle rope anyway, I guess it shouldn't be a problem if I instead braid the individual strands onto the chain links (I'm sure I've seen that before)? The problem is I can't find out how to do that properly. Can anybody point me in the right direction?
PS: It just occurred to me that maybe I can soften this nylon rope by soaking it in fabric softener? Does that work like it does on poly ropes?
Thanks in advance!
Sent from my SM-A225F using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app
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06-06-2023, 17:47
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#2
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Writing Full-Time Since 2014
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Deale, MD
Boat: PDQ Altair, 32/34
Posts: 9,559
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Re: Splicing stiff nylon to chain
Quote:
Originally Posted by LifesBetterWhenYoureBeating
Hi folks!
I have some never-used-before 3-strand nylon rope that I'd like to splice onto my anchor chain. I've tried a few times to do it following this procedure: https://www.boatingmag.com/how-to-ma...-chain-splice/ but failed because the rope is very stiff (probably because it's old, albeit clearly never used) and I can't tuck the strands back without untwisting.
Since my gypsy can't handle rope anyway, I guess it shouldn't be a problem if I instead braid the individual strands onto the chain links (I'm sure I've seen that before)? The problem is I can't find out how to do that properly. Can anybody point me in the right direction?
PS: It just occurred to me that maybe I can soften this nylon rope by soaking it in fabric softener? Does that work like it does on poly ropes?
Thanks in advance!
Sent from my SM-A225F using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app
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If the rope is super stiff and has never been used, it is a hard lay rope. That means they have stuffed as much fiber into it as possible and twisted the lay very tightly. This results in maximum strength and chafe resistance. But it is also a bugger to splice and nothing helps much. But I would try.
The braid splice you speak of is AKA a shovel splice. Just as strong, just ugly and sometimes messy (brings up mud).
http://www.whsyc.org/Splicing/Teache...l%20Splice.pdf
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06-06-2023, 19:03
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: The boat - New Bern, NC, USA; Us - Kingsport, TN, USA
Boat: 1988 Pacific Seacraft 34
Posts: 1,454
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Re: Splicing stiff nylon to chain
Would an irony splice be useful in the OP's stiff rope with only one strand to be tucked and that strand tucked into disturbed rope which might be an easier task?
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08-06-2023, 06:18
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#4
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: May 2021
Boat: Passport 41
Posts: 376
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Re: Splicing stiff nylon to chain
Quote:
Originally Posted by thinwater
If the rope is super stiff and has never been used, it is a hard lay rope. That means they have stuffed as much fiber into it as possible and twisted the lay very tightly. This results in maximum strength and chafe resistance. But it is also a bugger to splice and nothing helps much. But I would try.
The braid splice you speak of is AKA a shovel splice. Just as strong, just ugly and sometimes messy (brings up mud).
http://www.whsyc.org/Splicing/Teache...l%20Splice.pdf
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Yeah, that's the splice I was looking for!
Now, I'm at a dock and wanted to see how hard it'd be to feed that stiff rope up/down my long (3') hawse pipe so I pulled on it from above deck but it didn't take long for it to get stuck. Turns out it was a kink on the rope. I believe it will keep happening, but I wonder if it will get better if I load up the rope with a winch and then stretch it removing all twist?
Sent from my SM-A225F using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app
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11-06-2023, 09:32
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Southern California
Boat: Bavaria 38E
Posts: 375
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Re: Splicing stiff nylon to chain
Soak it in a solution of Woolite overnight or for a few hours, with a couple changes of water an hour apart afterward. Might help to soften.
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11-06-2023, 09:39
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,453
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Re: Splicing stiff nylon to chain
As far as I'm concerned stiff hard lay nylon is a dream to splice compared with the super soft modern stuff, which is a mess.
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard
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11-06-2023, 09:53
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Holladay, UT
Boat: Nordic Tug 37
Posts: 394
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Re: Splicing stiff nylon to chain
Works quite well if you follow Brion Toss's recommendation to flatten the three strands after unlaying them, rather than trying to keep them twisted.
__________________
Richard Cook
Dream Catcher (Nordic Tug 37) Poulsbo WA
"Cruising in a Big Way"
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11-06-2023, 10:20
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Bay of Fundy,Grand Manan,N.B.,Canada N44.40 W66.50
Boat: Mascot 28 pilothouse motorsailer 28ft
Posts: 3,197
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Re: Splicing stiff nylon to chain
Are you using a swedish fid?
__________________
My personal experience & humble opinions-feel free to ignore both
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11-06-2023, 12:48
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#9
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Writing Full-Time Since 2014
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Deale, MD
Boat: PDQ Altair, 32/34
Posts: 9,559
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Re: Splicing stiff nylon to chain
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheechako
As far as I'm concerned stiff hard lay nylon is a dream to splice compared with the super soft modern stuff, which is a mess.
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You are not wrong. Some stiffness is nice.
But I have also come across rope laid so hard that you could not, possibly, work a steel Swedish fid into it. Skyline II climbing rope was like that.
What the OP has I don't know.
(And there was super soft bad stuff back in the day too. Quality anchor rope has always been firm but not hard.)
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