Splicing 8 plait (blait?) to chain

[Pirateking]

I have to cut and splice my 8 plait (blait?) warp to new chain. The new plait is spliced to 5/16 HT, and new boat uses #8 chain. I have about 10 feet of the #8 chain on the existing worn out warp. I have not done splicing before. The plait has never been used.



Is there a great site for splicing 8 plait? And would you use a thimble or not. The existing make up (done by Mack Yacht Services for me but never used) is direct to the chain. Something else to learn in the days of Covid.

[thinwater]

Lots of guides if you Google it.
https://www.jamestowndistributors.co...t.do?docId=915


No, you do NOT use a thimble. The rope does not move against the chain (the next link moves) and there is no chafe. You also do not need the radius because the rope has been reduced to sub-ropes, which are smaller.


Adding a thimble actually increases the risk of failure.

[Pirateking]

Perfect, and I see it must be 6 plait, not u plait. Thank you.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Pirateking

Perfect, and I see it must be 6 plait, not u plait. Thank you.

No, with slight variations most plaited ropes can be spliced. I've spliced 6, 8, and 12. Google what you have.

[roland stockham]

I will add this one, really clear. It is not difficult although it can be intimidation first time, you always worry that you may have done it wrong and it won't hold. Fear not it does not have to be perfect or even that neat to work. Check it after the first few times it is used and you will easily see any problems.

[mlydon]

https://www.neropes.com/services/spl...lait-to-chain/

[Shrew]

Sampson makes a manual which is good. There are a lot of examples on YouTube.

[s/v Jedi]

That guide shows the strands through the first link, then backsplice. For octoplait you can also splice by going further into the chain. I think I used Samsom instructions or Yale Cordage.

[Jetx]

Used these instructions the last time I did it. Pretty simple...
http://www.yalecordage.com/applicati...ain_splice.pdf

[Benz]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

That guide shows the strands through the first link, then backsplice. For octoplait you can also splice by going further into the chain. I think I used Samsom instructions or Yale Cordage.

Jimmy Green Marine in the UK has online directions for this splice, which I've used. I'd copy a link if I knew how. It's preferred by some of my clients because the splice will still go through a gypsy. When you backsplice it through the last link the diameter increases more.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Benz

Jimmy Green Marine in the UK has online directions for this splice, which I've used. I'd copy a link if I knew how. It's preferred by some of my clients because the splice will still go through a gypsy. When you backsplice it through the last link the diameter increases more.

I found this one: 8 Strand to Chain Splice

[Knotical]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Lots of guides if you Google it.
https://www.jamestowndistributors.co...t.do?docId=915


No, you do NOT use a thimble. The rope does not move against the chain (the next link moves) and there is no chafe. You also do not need the radius because the rope has been reduced to sub-ropes, which are smaller.


Adding a thimble actually increases the risk of failure.

I found this arrangement when we bought our boat last year, you are saying it’s dangerous? I have not used the anchor yet as we bought her late last year but the PO anchored all the time.

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by navdi

I found this arrangement when we bought our boat last year, you are saying it’s dangerous? I have not used the anchor yet as we bought her late last year but the PO anchored all the time.

The shackle and thimble arrangement is fine, but it generally won't go through a windlass that can handle rope and chain on the gypsy.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by rslifkin

The shackle and thimble arrangement is fine, but it generally won't go through a windlass that can handle rope and chain on the gypsy.

No, not dangerous. With double braid, which cannot be spliced directly to chain, it is the only method.

I will add, though, that using a plastic thimble is just dumb. It will break at 15-20% breaking load, leaving the rope against the narrow shackle. It should always be a metal thimble. Obvious.

The other problem with thimbles in nylon rope is that they can shift and cut the rope at high load, because the nylon stretches and the thimble becomes loose. No way around that. Not common, since very few ropes are loaded that high (over 25% BS), but I have seen it both in testing and in the field. If a thimble is to be used at very high load with nylon, it should be a tube thimble. Overall, a direct splice is easier with fewer parts to fail and smoother on the hands.

[Breaking Waves]

Originally Posted by thinwater

With double braid, which cannot be spliced directly to chain

actually you can.

the easiest way is to unbraid the double braid section to splice (whip it at the starting point of the unbraiding) down to strands (not all the way down to filaments), divide it into 3 or 4 bundles, and do a 'shovel' (or 'up the chain') splice.

I'm not recommending this, I don't particularly like the shovel splice, but it is possible.