Page 143 - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice

But if you do get serious chafe, say in the run Splicing has always been a high art among
of a halyard, a temporary repair (that will pass sailors, even when the only rope around was three-
through sheaves and stoppers) is possible. strand. Marlingspike artists took that simple con-
Cut about a foot off the end of each line’s struction and reconfigured it into beckets, buttons,
core, lay the cover ends alongside one another, and and variegated bulk, in ways that make the most
stitch through-and-through like crazy with stout complex braid seem thud simple. And they came up
sail twine. If you cut the cores on a long angle to with these complications, not to show off—or not
taper them, you can maximize this Stitch Splice’s just to show off—but because situations demanded
strength without making it too bulky (Figure 4-19). a creative use of cordage.
I wouldn’t count on this splice for significant loads, Nowadays we ask less of three-strand, leaving
but it can definitely be strong enough to get a sail us more time to deal with the demands of braided
started up. Just be sure the splice is past the winch rope. But the essential situation is the same: Our
before you need to start cranking. vessels need appropriate materials and appropriate
A few words of encouragement. splices. Getting to know these new ropes can be
difficult, but they’re worth the effort.

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