With some extra time on our hands, some of us might spend their newfound time in the garden, learning to play the guitar or even starting a new language but not us sailors! We can’t help but dream of those awesome times on the water, how much we love our boats and all the kit that goes with it. To fuel that burn to bimble, we have made a few short tutorials on basic splicing for you to master at home and we have thrown in a few cheeky offers too!
Adjustable Soft Eye
Please don’t pay someone to do this for you, it’s the most basic of all splicing and a great place to start learning a new skill. The adjustable soft eye is perfect in systems where adjustment is required, the linear load on the outer compresses onto the inner core which holds the desired length, the stronger the load the harder it grips itself. Release the load to make the required adjustments – it’s that simple! There are many applications for an adjustable eye splice on your RS boat, from adjustable mainsheet bridals, trapeze lines and in various cascades. Give it a go yourself and see what you can fine tune!
For over a decade now we have trusted in Kingfisher Yacht Ropes to supply us the highest performance rope with excellent value. For the adjustable soft eye made in the video we are using Compact Braid 78, this is a line produced using Dyneema® SK78 fibre. It is available from 1.5mm – 6mm, the 4mm used in our video has a breaking strength of 1500kg! Dyneema® SK78 is one of many fibres to be produced by DSM Dyneema® the SK78 is the most commonly used variant for sailing due to its high tenacity and low stretch properties, there are lower grades of Dyneema® fibres that are used for certain application also. If you are fine tuning a high load system we’d recommend using Rig 12+ a PU coated, pre-stretched version on Compact Braid which is heat treated for extra strength.
In the video, we also use a basic push 4mm Splicing fid, if you are working with 3mm or under we’d recommend using a 3mm Splicing Needle pull fid.
Use the code ‘STAYATHOME‘ to get 25% off all splicing accessories from the RS Sailing Store! *Offer ends June 2020
RS Club Sailors
Don’t forget RS Club Sailors continue to get their exclusive offers, consisting of 25% off All Rope Purchases, 15% off Allen blocks and fittings, 15% off Clothing (excluding clearance.) Making bimbling a bit more affordable!
Watch this to find out how to make an adjustable eye