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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2016 12:56:50 GMT
Decided to replace my 3 mooring ropes. A friend of mind suggested making my own. I bought 30m of Hempex 16mm rope from Tradline (about £60). My friend showed me how to do the loop end (eye splice) and back spice at the tugging end to prevent the rope from slipping out of your hand (it also stops the rope end fraying). When I finally got around to doing it I had to resort to looking at animations and videos on the web. I couldn't believe how useless most of the web stuff was. Ironically the best video/animation was less than a minute long. Why do people bother posting crap videos? There are only really 3 steps to learn (which are repeated) once you have done the preparation. If anyone fancies having a go, try these links. It's easy once you get the 3 moves. www.animatedknots.com/backsplice/
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Post by JohnV on Sept 23, 2016 13:52:32 GMT
I have always been surprised at how many people are unable to do basic splicing and knotwork. As you have pointed out an eye splice and a back splice in three strand is not difficult to learn. Multiplait is a bit harder until you learn to think in pairs (but stay away from it if it is old as it goes hard and is a total pig to get tucked tightly) Making your own lines not only saves you money but lets you make lines that are the correct length to suit you and your boat. (and it gives a lot of satisfaction)
I suppose it points to how many people now get into boating comparatively late in life (as opposed to learning skills messing about in boats as a kid). I can't remember who taught me to splice three and 4 strand cable laid, It was probably my Uncle Fred who was a bosun.It was certainly him who taught me a sailmakers whipping and how to make a grommet.
Incidentally bloody well done !!!! (don't it feel good when you learn to make something for yourself)
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2016 14:10:18 GMT
I have always been surprised at how many people are unable to do basic splicing and knotwork. As you have pointed out an eye splice and a back splice in three strand is not difficult to learn. Multiplait is a bit harder until you learn to think in pairs (but stay away from it if it is old as it goes hard and is a total pig to get tucked tightly) Making your own lines not only saves you money but lets you make lines that are the correct length to suit you and your boat. (and it gives a lot of satisfaction) I suppose it points to how many people now get into boating comparatively late in life (as opposed to learning skills messing about in boats as a kid). I can't remember who taught me to splice three and 4 strand cable laid, It was probably my Uncle Fred who was a bosun.It was certainly him who taught me a sailmakers whipping and how to make a grommet. Incidentally bloody well done !!!! (don't it feel good when you learn to make something for yourself) Yep. TBH, I was tearing my hair out at one point. One of my pet hates is when things are deliberately made overcomplicated to make someone look clever. When I was a software engineer I used to have to cut out and replace reams of code to make it more simple. The problem with that is that at one point we got paid and assessed on the number of lines of code! However, it made it much easier to understand and was more maintainable. It's the same with books. So many technical authors stretch things out to show off. As we all know, proper engineers never read the manual.
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Post by kris on Sept 23, 2016 14:33:34 GMT
As we all know, proper engineers never read the manual. no now days they watch you tube. Must practice this again, same as all skills without practice they fade. Not that I'm skilled but putting an eye in a line is very handy. By the way hempex is my first choice for working lines for my boat.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2016 7:19:00 GMT
I taught myself to splice ordinary 3 strand rope from a book when I was a teenager. I also practiced needle and palm whipping.
When I lived on my first Nb at 20 years old I went through a lock and an old git came out of the lock cottage, picked up the end of one of my ropes and growled "who did that?"
He was referring to the whipping I said I did it (which I did) and he said "I haven't seen that done for years - not many people can do that"
Its good secure whipping.
I found a very nice old sailmakers needle in a cherrytea shop recently which I was pleased about as it can be used for whipping work.
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Post by JohnV on Sept 24, 2016 7:45:02 GMT
When I go out with my mate on his Gaffer, usually stick a little repair kit in my grab bag ........ palm, small Swedish fid, a couple of needles, a roll of insulating tape, a roll of waxed whipping thread and the now essential (for synthetic ropes), a lighter. I am a long, long way from a rope or knot expert. I can manage enough of the basic stuff to keep me happy and do basic work.
I really believe that anyone who uses boats regularly should know some basic ropework, at least enough to be able to tie a few basic knots. Purely for safety reasons if nothing else.
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Post by kris on Sept 24, 2016 7:53:59 GMT
I really believe that anyone who uses boats regularly should know some basic ropework, at least enough to be able to tie a few basic knots. Purely for safety reasons if nothing else. aint this the truth, I'm no expert. But I can use a rope, this is the major difference between modern boating and old ways of boating.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2016 8:16:22 GMT
While we are on the subject. What is everyone's prefered way to tie on? I can't find mine on the web.
After taking my rope through a ring or around a bollard I pull in tight then wrap the rope about 3 or 4 turns clockwise around the post on the boat. I then pass a loop clockwise under the 2 main lengths, twist it 180 degrees and pop it over the top of the post. Finally, I take another loop and pass it anti-clockwise under the 2 main lengths, twist it 180 degrees and pop that over the top if the post.
It's quite difficult describing how to tie knots isn't it? Actions speak louder than words.
Anyway, if anybody understands it and knows what my knot is called, I'd be grateful.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2016 8:34:59 GMT
Sounds similar to a lightermans hitch
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2016 8:41:13 GMT
From your description it is not actually the same thing but fairly similar in principle. Also called a tugboat hitch en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tugboat_hitchAs my barge has bollards with pins I usually just put a turn or two on the bollard below the pins and one hitch onto one of the pins to secure it then a couple of turns over the lot. Then coil the rest of the rope and put it somewhere sensible.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2016 8:47:26 GMT
I use staplespun polyprop, also did this when I had a Nb. 18-22mm diameter for the barge (30 tonne). Its what the tugs and barges use on the Thames. When it is nackered or killed by the sun its easy to make proper rope fenders using the old rope
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2016 8:55:30 GMT
From your description it is not actually the same thing but fairly similar in principle. Also called a tugboat hitch en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tugboat_hitchAs my barge has bollards with pins I usually just put a turn or two on the bollard below the pins and one hitch onto one of the pins to secure it then a couple of turns over the lot. Then coil the rest of the rope and put it somewhere sensible. Hmm...the use of the loops seems similar but it isn't quite the same. I think the initial 3 or 4 turns around the post do much of the work through friction. That makes it easier to untie the knots made with the loops on top. I guess there are loads of unorthodox knots out there. So long as they all work! I'm still looking for the easiest and best way to tie on at locks. I usually just make several turns without a knot and rely on the friction. I can't help feeling it will catch me out one day.
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Post by Jim on Sept 24, 2016 13:29:11 GMT
I learned the lightermans hitch a few years back, it's easy to do and undo one handed. Prior to that had used the clove hitch, dropping 2 loops back to back over the bollard, but that tends to lock up. Just ordered 100m 16mm hempex from synthetichemp.co.uk, £114 inc vat, p&p. Now where did I put my Fid?
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Post by JohnV on Sept 24, 2016 14:40:40 GMT
Agree it sounds like it's based on a lighterman (I know it as a tug hitch as well) with a double finish. We use the tug hitch all the time for tying up and for putting a line on a barge when I'm out on the river with the tugs. Never use anything else for normal tying up, as it is so fast to put on even with big multiplaits and good to be able to get it off fast in an emergency. The only time I use anything else is when I'm away from the boat for a length of time, then I use anything complicated so as to keep the scrotes confused.
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Post by Saltysplash on Sept 25, 2016 6:26:51 GMT
3 rounds turns and a half hitch works for me. I found some spare rope in the shed last year so i made myself a short line with a bight at each end which i use as the permanant mooring line at home base.
Didnt have any splicing tools so I managed with a flat head screw driver and self amalgamating tape for the ends. I must try and learn how to do proper whipping at some stage
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