Page 31 - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice

but a marlingspike will do in a pinch. One might say tension will soon become apparent; nothing looks or
it is used with absence of mallet. For more on service, works worse than a slack or lumpy seizing.
see Chapter 6. The Round Seizing is ideal for ditty bag, water
As turns of service are taken, the hauling part bucket, bosun’s chair, deadeye, and many other
shortens. When it becomes too short, the hitch is lanyards, as well as for joining grommet, shell,
capsized back into a straight length that in a few sheave, and thimble together for a rope-stropped
more turns becomes part of the service itself. This block (see Figure 2-22). What’s more, it can be
capsizing calls to notice a hidden characteristic of used in combination with other knots for added
the Marlingspike Hitch. Notice that the direction security. As an example of the latter, consider the
from which strain comes on the knot minimizes any Anchor Hitch (see Chapter 3) with the end seized
tendency for it to jam. To prove this for yourself, to the standing part. This is neat, strong, and easily
make the knot and anchor both ends. When it is cast off to stow the anchor or to shorten the rode if
pulled on from the wrong direction, it tends to slip it becomes chafed. When made on wire rope (see
around to one side of the spike and jam there. But if Round Seizing, Chapter 6), seizings can provide
pulled the other way, it will remain stable, and dis- strength and security to rival any other terminal.
appear without any fuss once the spike is removed. But when made on rope, no matter how tightly and
Be careful, then, to make the hitch as shown. how well, they will slip under heavy lengthwise
loads. This is because, unlike wire rope, fiber rope
Seizings shrinks significantly in diameter in a heavy load.
Now consider seizings, a more sophisticated variety Spectra is even worse, because it is also very slick.
of binding knots than service. Seizing is defined in Use seizings on rope with caution, and only for lat-
Steel’s Elements of Mastmaking, Sailmaking, and eral loads.
Rigging (see Bibliography) as “joining two ropes, or No maintenance is needed for temporary seiz-
the ends of one rope together, etc., by taking several ings, but it’s an important consideration when you
close turns of small rope, line, or spun yarn around want your work to last. Rope rots, but as with wood
them.” or wire, regular inspection and maintenance will pro-
That’s right: A seizing is basically service made long its working life. If a stretch of service receives
around two or more parts. But the function is dif- excessive chafe, replace it, then double-serve (two
ferent, since a seizing does not just sit on a line—it layers) or leather that spot to ease the problem. Seiz-
must hold separate lines together against lengthwise ings, too, can suffer from chafe or accidental cuts,
or lateral strain. There are dozens of specialized but most often they and service are most affected by
seizings, but for general use the preferred knot is water, sun, and wind. See Chapter 6 for preservative
the Round Seizing. It starts with a layer of “round mixes to apply to seizings and service.
turns,” on top of which is laid a protective layer
of “riding turns,” and finally a tightening finish of Materials Tarred nylon seine twine makes excel-
“crossing” or “frapping turns” (Figure 1-12E, F). lent seizings, but extra care must be taken to pull
The rigger’s way to secure the end is with a Flat hard enough to remove initial elasticity. Used as ser-
Knot (Figure 1-12G). vice, it holds up well but is vulnerable to sunlight,
As with service, each turn of a seizing is hauled so regular slushing with a preservative mix is extra
tight with the aid of a marlingspike, but with a seiz- important.
ing one pulls harder across the face than around the Marline is the traditional material for seizings,
corner. This keeps the rope from twisting as much but has given way almost entirely to the much more
from the force of the turns. The riding turns should durable tarred nylon. If nylon isn’t available, look
be tight, but not be so tight that they displace the for marline made from hemp or linen. Avoid jute
round turns. The importance of strong, consistent or sisal.

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