How to Splice Double Braid Line [LINKS TO FIDS👇] | BoatUS 

Thanks for watching!

Thanks for watching, and glad you found it useful!

Thanks for watching, Guillermo!

Thanks for watching and for your feedback, Richard!

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Thanks for watching (from one horsy boater to another)!

Thanks for watching, Ray!

Thanks for your comment, Forrest. A whiplock isn't necessary to secure this splice. However, some folks prefer to add it for extra security or for a finished look. If you really feel strongly about adding it, look up Yale Whiplock, and you'll find some how-to videos.

Glad you found it helpful, Patrick!

Ha, Neil! I'll pass that along to Mark. Thanks for watching.

You are very welcome, and thanks for watching!

Ask and thou shalt receive ... ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nDh45wCfQs8.html Thanks for watching, David!

@@boatus Awesome! Thank you

Thanks, Thom! Hope it goes well. I was there working the camera for this one, and it still looks like wizardry!

@@boatus great work where would I get fids pushers

@@timconroy3647 Thanks for watching! Mark uses Selma fids. You can find them at West Marine: www.westmarine.com/buy/samson-rope--selma-splicing-fids-set--3736006?recordNum=6 or Defender www.defender.com/product.jsp?id=2079316 Links are also in the video description.

Hi Roxy! We have a video on how to do an eye splice at ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nDh45wCfQs8.html. It shows how to add a thimble, but the splice is the same with or without. You can make the eye any size you need depending on the application.

Are you talking about a Flemish Eye? Look at this: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-TfVl4xTT0vg.html

Hmmm. I hadn't really noticed that before, Brian, but I can see how it would look like that. All Mark has done is work the cover back over the core, which creates the eye. There was probably only a second or two between clips. That said, it's good feedback and I will keep it in mind as we do new videos.

@@boatus Don't get me wrong - I am really enjoying your clips and the website.

@@TR4zest So glad to hear that. But we do appreciate feedback, too!

Hi Sedona. Thanks for the question and for reminding me to put links in the description. The fids we used are made by Selma and come as a set. They are nice because they have a barb in the end to help hold the line. You can purchase them from our retail partners like Defender: www.defender.com/product.jsp?id=2079316 or West Marine: www.westmarine.com/buy/samson-rope--selma-splicing-fids-set--3736006?recordNum=6

Thanks for the question, Hector. The fourth mark is 2/3 of the fid length from the third mark (where you pulled the core out of the cover). This fourth mark is where you'll be inserting the core back into the cover. For more information, have a look at our article: www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2018/june/how-to-splice-double-braid-line

Much appreciated.

Hi Grayam and thanks for the question. The fids we used are made by Selma and come as a set. They are nice because they have a barb in the end to help hold the line. You can purchase them from our retail partners like Defender: www.defender.com/product.jsp?id=2079316 or West Marine: www.westmarine.com/buy/samson-rope--selma-splicing-fids-set--3736006?recordNum=6

Thanks for the question, John. For anchor line, 3-strand nylon line is preferred over braid because it’s stronger and provides more elasticity to absorb the sudden loads of a boat surging around at anchor. It’s also more easily spliced and less expensive. For a video on how to make a thimble splice, see ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nDh45wCfQs8.html. And for a tutorial on how to make a proper chain-to-line connection, see ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-J3rh3bkW57w.html.

Bummer, but thanks for the feedback, D.V. It's a bit of a tricky technique for sure.

This is my problem. Great video but neccessary parts are clearly edited out. Very frustrating.

Thanks for the question, Nikolai. The process is the same irrespective of the size of line, but the smaller sizes are fiddly and difficult. If you are new to splicing, I would strongly suggest that you practice with larger diameters, then move onto the smaller sizes when you have perfected the technique.

Thanks for the honest review, bernk. We'll keep that in mind for future videos.

Bob, thanks for your comments. Splicing double braid can at first seem complicated and a little confusing. In time it does get easier and faster. Here's the link to the step by step in pictures which should help: www.boatus.com/magazine/2018/june/how-to-splice-double-braid-line.asp

Yup, edited to make it look simple.

Unfortunately, the double braided is easier to work with and that’s why we recommended. Maybe you can buy a short length of double braided, just 2-3 feet, then try again with that line. You’ll quickly realize the difference. Good luck!

I was standing there filming it and I still don't understand how it works! Thanks for watching, Dub

Thanks for the question, Russell. There could be two things going on here. The first is that the fid is too large to get down the cover and past the core, as there is just not enough room inside the cover. If that's the case, try a smaller diameter fid. The other possibility is that the fid is catching on something, most likely a strand or two of the core, thus preventing you from pushing the fid down and out through the side of the cover. It sounds like you have almost completed the splice. Stick with it, it gets easier and quicker with practice.

Thanks for replying BoatUS. I tried a smaller fid (way too small for the core) but the cover just seems too tight. I’ll keep trying and let you know how I get on.

@@TheRussBroom Definitely keep us posted. It's super easy to snag the inner core--even just a strand or two will lock it up. Best of luck!

Use a wire fid. Heaps easier.. one size fits all. If you have lock wire that's good enough.

MrPJ0077 This sounds like a game changer. Thank you! Yes, I have plenty of lockwire and will give this a go! I’m sure the cover is just too tight for fids on my rope.

That’s a tough one! To be successful, you really do need the proper fids. However, depending on the size of line that you are splicing, you may be able to get away with some short lengths (1 foot) of small-diameter copper pipe (to match the rope diameter) with one end cut on an angle. I’ve not tried this approach and I can’t vouch for its effectiveness, but it might work in a pinch. We found this how-to online: www.pbo.co.uk/practical-projects/make-fids-splicing-28864

@@boatus Thanks for the reply! The line is 5/8", core looks to be somewhere between 3/8" and 1/2". I found some large aluminum knitting needles that Im thinking about cutting on an angle. I'm hoping my girlfriend will understand ahaha

@@EchiLoki Good luck and let us know if it works. (And don't do anything that will anger the Admiral! Trust us on that ...)

@@boatus The admiral did not approve. I ended up having to use a .270 round and alot of electrical tape, ahaha. It turned out okay but I will be ordering a fid kit for future splicing though!

@@EchiLoki VERY resourceful! (And good job appeasing the Admiral.) Yeah, a fid kit will definitely make your life easier. Thanks for following up and for sharing your experience. Have a fun and safe boating season, and thanks for watching!

Thanks for watching, G!

Thanks for your question, Will. I believe it is 7/16.

Agreed, shortwidgets! I can watch this 100 times, and it still seems like wizardry!

The way I showed it in this video and the how it's done in the video you recommend are exactly the same. While there may be some difference in presentation, there is only one way to properly splice double braid. Thanks for the feedback.

@@boatus does this work with double braid with dyneema core? Premium ropes have a very difficult method to splice dyneema core ropes? Thank you

@@joshfitzgerald1127 Hey Josh. Thanks for the question. I've put this out to several of our experts but no one seems to have any experience with the Dyneema cored ropes. Doing a search online has turned up some videos, generally from manufacturers, that show the process. While somewhat similar, it looks to be different enough to require a different procedure. It's not often we can't get answers, but in this case, it's probably best to reach out to the line manufacturer or look at its website for how-to videos. Thanks for watching, and we hope you are able to find your answer that way.

@@boatus awww, thank you so much for trying. I knew online suggestions about a different method to splice dyneema were online, but the method is incredibly tricky to milk the cover over 2 inners and a cover! So thought I’d just ask if this option would work. Managed to do the dyneema the way that premium ropes recommends now…lots of tapering, sore hands and perseverance. Thank you so much, great video!!!

@@joshfitzgerald1127 You get extra points for stumping us! 😄 Glad you got it done, though it does sound a lot more difficult than splicing standard double braid. On the positive side, I've pitched this to the team as a possible topic to discuss in a future issue of BoatUS Magazine so we can all learn! Thanks again.

The fids are made by Selma and come as a set. They are nice because they have a barb in the end to help hold the line. You can purchase them from our retail partner West Marine: www.westmarine.com/buy/samson-rope--selma-splicing-fids-set--3736006?recordNum=6

Whipping and heat shrink are no shortcuts for splicing, especially for something this critical.

Thanks for the honest feedback, Keith. Sorry you didn't find it helpful. We'll try to do something better in the future.

Thanks for your feedback, and sorry to hear that it wasn't helpful. Is there anything specific that would have made it more transparent and useful to you?