Im looking for advice on thimble eye splicing double braid nylon rope, iv researched on google, looked at pictures, watched videos, (see link) purchased the figs etc.


It looks so easy for them as the splicing just slides nicely when pushed and pulled but they are usually using larger diameter than the 8mm and 6mm rope I have which just binds up when trying to push fig between the cores, even plucking the inner core out is proving tricky.

Any secretes solutions ?

I wrap tape around the fid to stop the rope pulling out when pushing through.

And practice!! Your first splice isn't gonna look as good as they do in the movie.

I've done quite a few at home. I use these fids
www.whitworths.com.au/stainless-steel-splicing-fids-4-13mm
I use 2 sizes down for pushing the internal braid through. ie if im doing 10mm rope i try to use the 6 mm fid as it slides through easier.
The fids are also hollow and the rope outer braid can get caught in the join in the fid.
PS that the video I used to learn

One thing to remember with double braid is that it is nigh on impossible with old used rope. Try it on some fresh braid and it will be much easier.

^^ this

But, why splice double braid??

Apart from aesthetics there really isn't a reason to. You aren't using the double braid for it's strength so a simple halyard knot has so many advantages.
- It's a 10 second job not a 2 hour job
- It pulls tight on a shackle meaning you don't loose the shackle and there is less movement = less wear
- If you are using it for a halyard there isn't 2 feet of stiff rope which is also the heaviest last 2 feet when hoisting, making the last 2 feet hard to hoist
- For a halyard it means there is more chafe as the rope is thicker and stiffer where it passes through the sheave
- For a sheet it means the sheet is always the same length and you can't end for end, so the sheet wears in the same spot giving a far shorter life on the rope

I have been splicing ropes for customers for 15 years and have only done about 10 double braid splices for a yacht, the rest have been dog and horse leads!!

Halyard knot

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Craig66 said..
Im looking for advice on thimble eye splicing double braid nylon rope, iv researched on google, looked at pictures, watched videos, (see link) purchased the figs etc.

It looks so easy for them as the splicing just slides nicely when pushed and pulled but they are usually using larger diameter than the 8mm and 6mm rope I have which just binds up when trying to push fig between the cores, even plucking the inner core out is proving tricky.

Any secretes solutions ?

There is another braid called super braid (probably has other names) that looks quite similar but not easy to splice. Instead of having 2 (double) braids overlapping as they spiral around to make your rope there is only one braid. It is a stiffer rope and a lot tighter weave. Double braid is a lot softer and usually not that hard to splice with a bit of practice. I found it best to google up a few different u-tube vids to get the best explanation/method.

Thanks guys.
It is my anchor rope on a drum winch, the rope was supplied from Lone Star with the eye thimble spliced for shackle to connect to chain.
My sarca and chain etc is currently about 3km south east from Catherine Hill bay in 21 meters (yes im going to go look for it)

I was of the believe that a thimble was the way to go but from above post maybe a Halyard knot is the way to go?
Or the anchor hitch ?

In 21 meters of water? That is getting close to the max safe diving depth!

How are you planning to bring it up?
I hope you know what you are doing.

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sirgallivant said..
In 21 meters of water? That is getting close to the max safe diving depth!

How are you planning to bring it up?
I hope you know what you are doing.

Thanks for your concern sir, yes it will be a well planned exercise with minimal risk (there are no sharks in the ocean right?)

I have some very experienced scuba diver mates, one trained as a rescue diver that can go way deep, scary deep.
But on this occasion a spearo mate is going for a look, he can get to close to 30m, im hoping to put him right over it and drop a weighted line with a float on the surface down, if he can spot it and get a rope on it, make sure it and the chain is free and just pull it up when back in boat as its only a No 3 sarca.

And as for finding it on GPS mark, i have experience with that as i have lost this anchor before on a different rocky reef off Newcastle and found it with the above method, got to love how accurate modern electronics are as the brick i dropped on a rope was under 5m from the anchor and spotted by my scuba mate on the way down the rope.

Yes im re thinking my anchor set up when fishing over rocky bottom.

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Craig66 said..
Thanks guys.
It is my anchor rope on a drum winch, the rope was supplied from Lone Star with the eye thimble spliced for shackle to connect to chain.
My sarca and chain etc is currently about 3km south east from Catherine Hill bay in 21 meters (yes im going to go look for it)

I was of the believe that a thimble was the way to go but from above post maybe a Halyard knot is the way to go?
Or the anchor hitch ?

I would leave the sarca where it is.

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Ramona said..

Craig66 said..
Thanks guys.
It is my anchor rope on a drum winch, the rope was supplied from Lone Star with the eye thimble spliced for shackle to connect to chain.
My sarca and chain etc is currently about 3km south east from Catherine Hill bay in 21 meters (yes im going to go look for it)

I was of the believe that a thimble was the way to go but from above post maybe a Halyard knot is the way to go?
Or the anchor hitch ?

I would leave the sarca where it is.

On what basis do you make that comment ?

I am glad, you are not just diving ad hoc and l am not worried about sharks here.
It can be very dangerous for some, who does not have the expertise. Of course, one could dive to 50 meters but need spec. training and equipment and experience.
Good luck!

I too, have heard some horror stories of that Sacra thing.

Nothing beats the Rocna.

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Craig66 said..

Ramona said..

Craig66 said..
Thanks guys.
It is my anchor rope on a drum winch, the rope was supplied from Lone Star with the eye thimble spliced for shackle to connect to chain.
My sarca and chain etc is currently about 3km south east from Catherine Hill bay in 21 meters (yes im going to go look for it)

I was of the believe that a thimble was the way to go but from above post maybe a Halyard knot is the way to go?
Or the anchor hitch ?

I would leave the sarca where it is.

On what basis do you make that comment ?

If I was going to anchor on reef I would use a reef anchor and use a breakaway cord to the shank. If I was to anchor on sand weed etc I would use my replica Ultra or a Rocna or other high holding non plow anchor.

If you're still having trouble with the splice, why not do a substantial whipping? If you're worried about chafe slide some heat shrink over the rope before you do the whipping and then pull it back over.

If you sew through both sides 10 or so times over about 2 inches, then whip around all that length. I then go around length wise to pull the whipping tight. Would be plenty strong enough

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rumblefish said..
If you're still having trouble with the splice, why not do a substantial whipping? If you're worried about chafe slide some heat shrink over the rope before you do the whipping and then pull it back over.

If you sew through both sides 10 or so times over about 2 inches, then whip around all that length. I then go around length wise to pull the whipping tight. Would be plenty strong enough

That's pretty much what is used in the climbing rope stuff!