Sometimes You Have To Stop And ...

Sometimes you have to stop and enjoy the nature around you.

Your Life Is Hanging By A Thread, Part B

Although not raining the sunsets still have the impending doom clouds overhead

Okay! I finally have dry weather to finish the life lines.  All the gate ends were done below so weather and the short Monsoon season we had didn't affect the begging.  But the adjustment end needed to be done on the deck after the line was threaded through the stanchions.  After looking at several variations on the one-ended Brummel splices I decided on the following for my application.

One issue is the length and diameter of the item you are terminating to is the deciding factor in your use.  Larger fittings would have necessitated I make a loop and then wrap it around the fitting.  But my fittings would allow a single line through but I needed to make the loop larger than at the gate end.

First adjust the gate hook to 3/4 closed on the adjustment.

When threading through the stanchions, I put a second cover over the line to have extra protection at the winches.  I will whip the ends to finish the project.

Next adjust the turnbuckle (lower as shown) to 1/2 open and even on both ends and mount at bow.

Pull the life line and the turnbuckle together tight.  You will now mark ("P) a spot 3 inches longer than the location of the eye on the Johnson fitting (3" for 5/16 and almost 4" for 3/8).  Make another mark 16 inches further past mark "P" and cut the line here (20" +- from the fitting eye).

Pull the core out at this spot and push the sheath back as far as you can.

Pull the life line and the turnbuckle tight once again and make a mark "A" where the eye in the fitting is.  If the turnbuckle and pelican hook are not adjusted as described you will make the lines too short!

Remove the fitting from the turnbuckle and lay the fitting with the end threads at the mark "A"

Make mark "B" one length of the threads toward the bitter end.
Make mark "C" one length of the threads toward the stanchion end.

Using a fid open the line with 6 strands on each side at Mark "C" 

MAKE SURE 6 ON EACH SIDE AND DO NOT DAMAGE THE INDIVIDUAL THREADS.

Slide fitting onto core until resting on Mark "A"

Pull bitter end through opening at Mark "C" until the fitting touches.

Using a fid open the line with 6 strands on each side at Mark "B" 

MAKE SURE 6 ON EACH SIDE AND DO NOT DAMAGE THE INDIVIDUAL THREADS.

Pull bitter end through opening at Mark "B" making the line flip.

Push the threaded end of the fitting through the Mark "B" flipped hole.

ease line over fitting

 and back onto it's self

 This will reconstitute the line

Pull "B" and "C" together locking the line.

Using the fid tuck the tail through the core.

tapper the tail and then pull the core back to bury the tail.

Now milk the sheath of the Endura braid back over the splice.

RACING RULES MUST BE CHECKED IF NEEDED

I am hoping for longevity so I will cover the complete line up to the fitting.

I put two whips on this end.  One at the splice after stitching to lock it and one just before the fitting.

At this point I am using heat shrink to cover the final whipping and exposed dynemma.

Reattach the fitting to the turnbuckle and adjust lines as needed.

(as seen on the top line) Repeat 3 more times. 

A final note: I used 5/16 Endura braid on the lower lines and 3/8 on the upper lines, 3/8 would fit both with a little effort.  Be careful when snaking it through the stanchions not to "pile" the sheath up behind the eye of the stanchion. Check and adjust stanchions as needed to lower the chafe against the standing rigging, winches, and sheets.  Use protection from abrasion if needed to insure a long life.  Recycle your old life lines into a theft resistant painter for your dinghy, SSB antennae, or other items for your spares kit.   

The final Rumset needed to complete the lifelines.

Over all it took about 6 hours of casual working time, or 4 Rumsets.

Why do those projects take so long?

because when I have time the world looks like this.   At any given moment...

Mike said "Run Florida, Run!"

....for over three weeks! 

W

Your Life Is Hanging By A Thread, Part A

Making new life lines during the wonderful and varied Mad Beach sunsets

A couple of years ago we went from rusty wire rope on our life lines to Endura Braid.  It was a learning experience as we tried core to core splicing.  Over time a couple of these have started to slip.

Since our first attempt more and more information has been shared on line about installation and durability.  One of the biggest improvements is the expansion of the Brummel splice type and instructions.  Especially with a captive end.



I love the Endura Braid.  It has a good hand and is stronger than steel.  The double braid style has a great protection layer over the core Dyneema.  The halyards I put on svGeminiDreams almost 5 years ago still feel and look great.  If utilized correctly the cover will add months or years to the lifelines.

New style Johnson life line fittings.  An upgrade that cost $100.

Making the protected Endura Braid (doublebraid) Brummel splice type A (both ends available) at the gate end is exactly like a Brummel in single strand Dyneema except with a little extra stuff in the way.

Mark cover 20 inches from the bitter end and remove core at mark.

Make a mark 2 1/2 inches toward the double braid end 

on the core from where the core was removed (bruised section).  

This is where the fitting will be set.

This gives enough sheath to cover the increased diameter of the bury

(not necessary if you have to leave the Brummel exposed for inspection by racing officials).

(Please check the rules to see if you can use the double braid.)

 Mark both sides of line as it crosses tight to fitting. 

Mark A near bitter end. Mark B on double braid end.

Insert fid into mark Band pull tight until mark A is inside line at mark B

6 strands on each side of the Fid!

move fid to double braid end of line

make a mark C one fid width from cross over of mark A and mark B on bitter end

Split line and pull double braid end, including tail, through mark C

6 strands on each side of the Fid!

Return the fid to the bitter end

Push double braid sheath down away from splice at least 2 feet

Make a mark D one fid width up the double braid end from where it pulled through mark C

Insert fid with bitter end into the hollow center of the double braid end.

Exit the hollow center 2 feet from mark C

The double braid end should be bunched up over the bitter end as shown

Do not let the bitter end tail slip back in

Mark every 1/2 inch from the bitter end 

Taper core 1 strand every 1/2 inch

Your Brummel splice is all complete.

If you are racing check with the stewards you may need to stop the cover here.

If so stitch the double braid in place and whip a finish.

Carefully cut excess double braid away.

If you only cruise milk the sheath all the way to the end.

Stitch the double braid cover in place and whip a finish.  

Carefully cut the excess double braid away

Complete Brummel Double Braid spice for lifelines.

At this point you could cover the bare loop with

 heat shrink or rigging tape if you want more protection

Maybe I can get another DSLR and stop taking fuzzy iPhone pics

Your Life Is Hanging By A Thread, Part B, Making the protected Brummel splice type B at the tensioner end coming soon.

Albin Vega 27 s/v Gemini Dreams
W