Which is stronger?

[Sunfish]

Can anyone tell me which is stronger an eye splice or a bowline? (I'm making 4 mooring lines, if the rope makes a difference, probably 3ply nylon.)

Thanks :-)

G250

[Limey Linda]

Assuming both are done properly , I would say about the same.

[Jono]

Originally Posted by G250

Can anyone tell me which is stronger an eye splice or a bowline? (I'm making 4 mooring lines, if the rope makes a difference, probably 3ply nylon.)

Thanks :-)

G250

Splice every time...

[Poly]

knots typically reduce the breaking strain of a rope by around 40%, splices if "tied" properly can retain 95% of the strength

edit: in reality you are unlikely to be anywhere near the breaking strain of the rope, even with a knot in it and your deck hardware is more likely to fail first - unless you wear through the rope on a sharp edge etc. A nice splice does look pretty though - and even a child can loop it over a cleat/bollard etc

[BogMonster]

Originally Posted by Polwart

A nice splice does look pretty though - and even a child can loop it over a cleat/bollard etc

It does - adds a "profeshunal touch"

Takes friggin ages and gives you sore fingers, but looks good...

[bernithebiker]

er, being a bit of a novice boater and all that, I can do a bowline, but can someone show me (via a webpage or a diagram?) how to do a splice?!
Thanks!
P.S. Granny knot any good?!

[mdt]

http://www.tollesburysc.co.uk/Knots/Knots_gallery.htm

or just buy them pre done ?

[badbaws]

A spice will be stronger.. and to be honest I can put an eye splice in 3 strand complete well under 5 minutes.. and depending on the paricular length of rope as little as 2 minutes.. without getting a sore finger and with a whipping too..
Some skills are still worth knowing..

[havener]

Originally Posted by badbaws

A spice will be stronger.. and to be honest I can put an eye splice in 3 strand complete well under 5 minutes.. and depending on the paricular length of rope as little as 2 minutes.. without getting a sore finger and with a whipping too..
Some skills are still worth knowing..

Ah, the joys of a merchant navy training!!

[Matt]

How do you put a splice in plaited rope?

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by MadMat

How do you put a splice in plaited rope?

Octoplait is pretty easy to splice. Here are some googled instructions: http://www.liros.com/spleissanleitungen.aspx

Rope to chain using octplait is even easier!

Splicing isn't as hard as it looks once you break down the basic technique. I find a Swedish Fid useful and some electrical tape for holding things together.

John

[badbaws]

If it is 8 strand it isn't too bad, is a pain... but if it is other types then quite often a seizing is easier and pretty much as strong a splice if done correctly.
To be fair on small boats three strand is much easier to work with and cheaper.. Multiplait may look better and feel better depending on type of fibre used.
It also depends if you want a permanent eye or (k)not... and then you have to make sure you get the eye splice the right size to fit over most common cleats etc.. I tend to make a oversized loop, leaves more rope availble if ever needed it and I tend to put a metal clip on the end too. It helps my "novice" crews tie up at the pub!!! O-X-O still confuses some people for a cleat.. a loop over the top they can manage!!

Merchant navy training is good but most of my friends have long forgotten how to tie knots and splice.. You don't need to tie must when looking out the window avoiding WAFI's! The worst thing to splice is wire!!

[BogMonster]

Originally Posted by badbaws

If it is 8 strand it isn't too bad, is a pain... but if it is other types then quite often a seizing is easier and pretty much as strong a splice if done correctly.
To be fair on small boats three strand is much easier to work with and cheaper.. Multiplait may look better and feel better depending on type of fibre used.
It also depends if you want a permanent eye or (k)not... and then you have to make sure you get the eye splice the right size to fit over most common cleats etc.. I tend to make a oversized loop, leaves more rope availble if ever needed it and I tend to put a metal clip on the end too. It helps my "novice" crews tie up at the pub!!! O-X-O still confuses some people for a cleat.. a loop over the top they can manage!!

Merchant navy training is good but most of my friends have long forgotten how to tie knots and splice.. You don't need to tie must when looking out the window avoiding WAFI's! The worst thing to splice is wire!!

I've never sussed 8 strand, I had some instructions on how to do it once (was a Land Rover tow rope, not for a boat) and it was a complete hash up by the time I finished!

The lines I am making up at the moment, I am also putting a biggish loop in each end and a s/s carbine hook on one end spliced into the loop, this means that it is more flexible for whatever I want to do with it at any given moment, I can either use the loop and let the carbine hang out of the way, or use the carbine. I'm using 3 strand 10mm soft white nylon which is supposed to have a breaking strain of 2 tonnes so four of those on a 700kg boat ought to have a reasonable margin of safety

[badbaws]

THe ropes may last but how about your deck fittings.. I have seen cleats come off before ropes go on several boats!!

[MarkWildey]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

I find a Swedish kid useful

John

I think there are laws about child labour

Mark

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by MarkWildey

I think there are laws about child labour

Yeah, you have to be careful, but their fingers are so much more nimble than mine!

John