To Taper or not to taper- knot between anchor line & cha

J

jstates

New member
I know its traditional to taper the knot that connects anchor line to chain for use w windlass. Grog's knots didn't think it was so necessary as in the past- and it seems my windlass will pull in the line without the taper [I did about 8-9 turns vs 5-6 ] to see how it would work. I can always go back and trim some off.

Here is the quote from Grog's Knots
Tapering the tails: It used to be fashionable to gradually thin the strands for an additional few tucks. In tarred hemp this made a very elegant tapered splice. Modern rope is sufficiently slippery to mean that the tapered tails tend to get dislodged and make the splice look very untidy. True tapering of individual strands is rarely done now and should probably never be attempted by amateur, occasional, splicers.

Alternative Taper: After sufficent tucks have been made for strength, cut and burn one stand and then continue the splice with remaining two strands. Cut and burn one more and splice the remaining strand before cutting and burning it too -

Any suggestions - I am inclined to do the alternative taper . Should I whip the final end or use the whipping glue.

Thanks - and thanks to the forum for great information on Windlass choice -

Jim
 
I think whatever works would be fine. I chose to taper my splice - it is not that hard - and I have never had my rode jump the gypsy. It also just looks nice - very nautical - and C-Brat's have a reputation of being very nautical :D
 
I no longer bother tapering mine, but I do a thorough whipping job on the end of the completed splice. It needs a little help getting through the windlass gypsy sometimes, but it's tough. Lasts easily through a summer of anchoring in SE Alaska.
 
I almost always taper my splices (not knot). I use the hot knife or burn the end of the tapered strands (pressing the hot nylon against the lay of the other strands, keeps it from unraveling). It looks neater, does not unravel, and allows a better grip. I only whip at the throat, since this is less likely to be damaged by the teeth of the gypsy on the windlass. I have no idea who "Grogs knots" is. But he didn't do many spices in the past, as most running rigging and anchor line was not tared hemp, but was Manila fiber, which was much stronger and easier to work with.
 
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