How to make cruising splices is the topic of the new video-episode of SAILING SCHOOL, which illustrates the differences between different types of lines and an example of splicing. Also go review the video on splicing with Matteo Sericano shot a few years ago.
Splices in cruising
Splices, or plumbs, are used to join two lines or create line loops, which have better load resistance than a knot, are fixed and have greater durability.
Splices are the right solution when we want to create an eyelet with redancia, for example.
Figuring out how to make splices takes practice and time, but a well-executed splice allows us to take advantage of the maximum load borne by our lines. In fact, the knot is the weak point of a line in tension, and can reduce the maximum load by as much as 40%.
Five advantages of splices over knots:
- Higher strength load, the spliced point may be even higher in strength than the breaking load of the line itself.
- Reduced weight, for example, a spliced sheet point on a gennaker makes a difference in little wind compared to a heavy knot.
- Less top is wasted.
- There are no “whiskers” that can get stuck in the rigging and blocks .
- They are more elegant than a knot, they are a symbol of seafaring!
Twenty-fourth video episode of SAIL School.
Today’s video, as well as all previous episodes of SAIL School, are available on the SAIL Newspaper youtube channel there are both beginners and experts!