T&T: Splices

[Jim Ague]

> I've been reading the posts on splicing, I use a typical rope to chain
> splice now. I have seen mention of the splice shown on the Bluenote  UK 
> website,
> but haven't seen posts from anyone using that splice. It does  look
> unconventional yet it looks to me as though the area wear would be more 
> spread out on the
> Bluenote attachment where the strands are laced up though  several chain
> links. Are any of the members using this splice? Will it pass  through an
> automatic windlass? Has it proven durable?

I was the one who entered the pointer to the UK website. I also have a 
friend with a Monk 36 who weaved this splice for his anchoring system. The 
result works well through his power windlass. He did say it took a lot of 
effort to thread two of three strands through each chain link, except the 
first. The first link is easy since it only has one companion that links to 
it taking up space in the opening. The remaining links are much harder and 
tighter since they have a fore and aft companion. He and his mate travel the 
ICW about 7 months a year, anchor out 90% of the time, and seem confident 
that this type of splice will hold.

One fellow spoke up here and opined that it looked like "a disaster waiting 
to happen", but didn't explain why. For me, two things come to mind (1) wear 
and (2) separation.

I think, don't know, that the backsplice will wear faster. I've never liked 
the way the last link like a very, very dull knife is trying to wear through 
the three braids looped back on it.

I don't think separation is likely to happen based on the effort to perform 
the weave. To some extent Bob pulling a SUV up a 4% grade helps confirm 
this.

-- Jim Ague