Splicing VPC

[Sefuller]

I recently purchased some New England Ropes VPC for genoa sheets and would like to splice eyes for attaching to the sail with a soft shackle. I am unsure as to whether I need to follow the directions for class 1 rope or class 2 rope, and I have been unable to find an answer on the NER website. Any help appreciated.

Scott

 

[All U Get]

Have you tried contacting them? How is the core done?

All U Get

 

[Sefuller]

The core is braided, but the rope is a hybrid(?) so not sure if it's class 1 or 2. I have not tried contacting them - I will try that today.

Have you tried contacting them? How is the core done?

All U Get

 

[Sefuller]

I called NER today and was directed to the guy in charge of the marine division - apparently the only guy there who would be able to answer this question, however he was not at his desk any of the times I called, and has not returned my voicemail yet.

Anyone else know whether a class 1 splice is suitable for VPC used for genoa sheets?

Thanks,
Scott

The core is braided, but the rope is a hybrid(?) so not sure if it's class 1 or 2. I have not tried contacting them - I will try that today.

 

[All U Get]

Try a search here in the forum, plenty of posts.

All U Get

 

[Jackdaw]

Vectran cored line is like spectra/dyneema cored line. Splice the core only, it's where the strength is. Just make sure to cover it, vectran needs UV protection big-time.

 

[Brian S]

I suppose you could also call Annapolis Performance Sailing. They sell VPC, and they do custom splices. They have recently changed their website, and it sucks now, you can't find all the line info like you used to. But if you call them, they should be able to advise you.

 

[Joe]

I recently purchased some New England Ropes VPC for genoa sheets and would like to splice eyes for attaching to the sail with a soft shackle. I am unsure as to whether I need to follow the directions for class 1 rope or class 2 rope, and I have been unable to find an answer on the NER website. Any help appreciated.

Scott

Scott,

Samson MLX New England VPC are both Blended Core Double Braids
http://www.apsltd.com/line/blended-core-double-braids.html

Class II ropes are made in whole or part from anyof the following high modulus fibers: Dyneema, Vectran, Technora, and Zylon. MLX and VPC have a blended core of dyneema and polyester.


Samson specifies a Double Braid Class II Splice.
http://www.samsonrope.com/Pages/Product.aspx?ProductID=434

Here are the eye splice instructions.
http://www.samsonrope.com/Documents/Splice Instructions/DblBrd_C2_Eye Splice_AUG2012_WEB.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzW1OfcDFUY&feature=youtu.be

 

[mm2347]

Brion Toss, one of the better riggers, has some of the better cds aval. Often its easier to understand if seen than to follow written directions. He also has a web site w/ a forum.

 

[Sefuller]

Thanks for all the replies. I did get a call from NER today confirming the information I had concluded - VPC is core dependent and requires a class 2 splice. I worked on one eye last night using a video from youtube. I will try to finish it tonight - I think I will have to hook it up to my truck and see if I can get the last section to bury, if the garage doesn't come off it's foundation first

 

[woodster]

splicing this stuff reminds me of when i was a kid learning how to water ski..we had to splice our own ropes back then and it was spliced just like the video that joe posted ....its amazing to me how simple the splice is not like splicing sta set thats for sure

 

[Joe]

Alert.... Correction made to previous post....

Sorry fellas, but after looking at the splicing links I provided in previous post....They are incorrect for the topic......I made a BIG MISTAKE!!!! The post has been edited to include the correct links for instructions and video regarding a double braid Class 2 eye splice.

Sorry for the error.... no excuses. The original links were for 12 strand (that's SINGLE braid) stuff..... which is infinitely easier to splice than double braid.

Here are the corrected links for a Double Braid Class 2 eye splice.

http://www.samsonrope.com/Documents/Splice Instructions/DblBrd_C2_Eye_Splice_WEB.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzW1OfcDFUY&feature=youtu.be

Again, I apologize to the group for the goof up.

 

[Sefuller]

This is actually the link I followed where the cover is buried instead of whipped to the exterior. Not sure why there isn't a decent resolution video to be found for this splice! I would have made one, but my splice isn't turning out that great!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKgdO_CX3T8

 

[Maine Sail]

This is actually the link I followed where the cover is buried instead of whipped to the exterior. Not sure why there isn't a decent resolution video to be found for this splice! I would have made one, but my splice isn't turning out that great!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKgdO_CX3T8

Why not just use a cows hitch for the sheets..?

 

[woodster]

after watching the video Joe posted (the correct one) i don't think i will be getting any of that hi tec line its probably a great product but it is just too much overkill for a coastal cruising boat

 

[Gunni]

after watching the video Joe posted (the correct one) i don't think i will be getting any of that hi tec line its probably a great product but it is just too much overkill for a coastal cruising boat

VPC is an excellent low stretch line at a moderate price. It is a huge improvement over Sta-set for halyards, and is recommended to protect your sails. But for sheets, overkill. Regatta braid has proven to be a good option for jib sheets. The hand is unreal, and it sticks to winches/clutches in a way that VPC does not.

All that said, you can order VPC with a nice core splice on one end, and a flat splice on the other for just a little extra.

 

[Sefuller]

Why not just use a cows hitch for the sheets..?

That's what I've used for years, but it kind of catches on the shrouds when tacking, so I made up some soft shackles and thought it would be fun to make some sheets with eye splices, but I was mistaken.

Scott

 

[Joe]

VPC is an excellent low stretch line at a moderate price. It is a huge improvement over Sta-set for halyards, and is recommended to protect your sails. But for sheets, overkill. Regatta braid has proven to be a good option for jib sheets. The hand is unreal, and it sticks to winches/clutches in a way that VPC does not.

All that said, you can order VPC with a nice core splice on one end, and a flat splice on the other for just a little extra.

Completely agree with this comment. VPC and MFX are perfect for halyards... you can strip the cover off the front half that runs through the masthead sheave... makes for very smooth running, like wire. The covered half cleats easily, grips the drum effectively and has a comfortable hand. In this case, you would use the 12 strand, single braid eye splice on the exposed core.