Re: OT: Marlin Spike

On 11/13/2024 6:08 PM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

 If you are set on splicing you might splice the ends of a "grommet" within the rope.
 A variant of the Prusik knot can be tied in the middle of a rope to add a loop. It looks somewhat like the Alpine Butterfly, with more turns around the rope on either side of the loop.
 This calls it a dropper knot.
https://www.animatedknots.com/dropper-loop-knot

I am familiar with a dropper loop.  In days past I often used it to attached a hook leader to a mainline with a pass through loop.  I'm not an expert on all common fishing knots, but I know a fair number of them.
   As you note the leads are psuhed away from each other with the style of the knot, but I would still consider it except as Joe notes in his reply knots do tend to weaken line.  Yes I have watched every single episode or Berkley's Knot Wars series where they compare the strength of various knots in the three most common types of fishing line, and saw the claim that some knots were "more than" 100% of line strength. Those are all freshly tied knots cinched down and stressed to breaking.  I assure you the knot affects line strength over time.

 A figure eight loop might be better since your two ends are angled instead of pulled straight.

A figure 8 knot or even a surgeons loop has an affect on line strength. In a pinch they are options as is simply tying the rope to the tow point and losing a few inches with a knife when you are done.

 If you want to impress someone you could pre-mark the center of the sling with tape and tie it to the single tow line with a Carrick Bend.

I have a couple goals, but one of them is to be obvious in use to somebody who is not as familiar with it.  I'd like to make one and give it to an air boat operator who pulled me off a sand bar last year, and to throw one in each of the boats I use regularly myself as a permanents single purpose bridle.  It will equalize towing, and also (with the float) reduce the likelihood of prop fouling when working with a less skilled boater.

My favorite how'd-he-do-that? is dropping a clove hitch over a bollard in one smooth quick motion by grabbing the line with arms crossed.

I would like to see that.  I tend to tie off mostly to cleats.  You just stack a couple opposing half hitches for a short term tie off.  Not the knot persay, but the cross arm drop.
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Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff
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