Splicing stiff nylon to chain

[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!

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[thinwater]

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

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

[wsmurdoch]

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?

[LifesBetterWhenYoureBeating]

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

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?

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[Auklet]

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.

[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.

[NewMoon]

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.

[deblen]

Are you using a swedish fid?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjfrKSQy3zA

[thinwater]

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.

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.)