Page 118 - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice

You might have noticed that only about half of them and tuck each strand over one and under one,
this section’s text is devoted to splicing per se. This is against the lay. Remove the Constrictors, snug things
because, at this level, any technique is only a reflec- up, then continue tucking as with the other splices.
tion of the real business of rigging: understanding Carefully done, this knot can’t be beat for towlines,
the relationships among boat type, strength require- pendants, and all sorts of temporary repairs, par-
ments, sailing efficiency, cost, and convenience. ticularly in emergencies. Its one drawback is that it
Whether or not your boat can use a Chain Splice, bulks too much to pass through a block.
you can, as a way to understand the rest of your rig. Short Splice, short explanation.

The Mending Splice
NOT THE END OF YOUR ROPE: Every so often a boat will slash away at a piece of
MORE SPLICES FOR THREE- running rigging with a burr on a masthead sheave
STRAND ROPE mortise, for example, or an unsuspected sharp port-
hole corner. You can smooth out the edges that did
A cord of three-strands is not quickly broken. Use the damage, but what about the line? You can darn
this strong rope to make a Short Splice, a Mending a lightly chafed yacht braid cover with needle and
Splice, or a Long Splice. thread, but a deep cut is impractical to mend. So
about all you can do is replace it and hope there’s
The Short Splice
This book wouldn’t be right without a Short Splice Figure 4-10. The Short Splice is a very strong multi-
(Figure 4-10), the strongest way to lengthen a rope strand bend. Unlay the two ropes far enough for three
whose end you’re not ready to come to. tucks (minimum) in manila, five in synthetics. Marry
To make one, unlay two ropes of the same size the two and tuck each set of strands over and under
to Constrictor Knots, as for the Backsplice. “Marry” as for the previous splices.

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