Holy crap! This explains a lot. I learned by seamanship back in the 60's as a Sea Cadet boatswain. Those were the days of three strand natural fibers like hemp and manila. I could splice and rig with the best of them In those days nylon was the new thing to learn. Fast forward to the new century, I get back into sailing and suddenly the reason those quarter turns showing up on my lines make sense. Thanks Chris, I'll have to pass this on. Who knew that after 5,000 years or so of sailing there are still new(er) tricks to learn.
I was brought to this video by a comment from one of our viewers on one of our videos about the same subject (our video was far inferior to this!) This is superb content - please keep it coming. Fair winds, Chris 👍
Thank you for the positive feedback- I have ben away from YT for a little while now-just getting new content together this week to restart the channel- would love to chat about the Sailing YT experience with you a little further !!
Thanks for this. Been doing the gasket bit for 50 years (after Dad learned it from somewhere) but had never seen the folding. Looking forward to using it now.
Just listened to the long podcast with Rob Phillips. I found so much interesting and informative. So I came looking for the Flemish coil or I guess we called it a rope cheese! Annoying you can comment directly on specific podcasts on iPhone any way cheers Warren
As long as I've known about sailing, ropes and lines this is totally new stuff to me. I have never been into racing much, but I would imagine it is very important for competition and especially so if you are single-handing! I will need to watch it again for sure.
Chris, Great video! Not only do you clearly explain the technique but, more importantly, you give some historical context and the underling reasoning. thanks so much. looking forward to Ep2.
Thanks for this video. Close friend of mine got involved with Spartan and suddenly I'm interested in what you are up to. In the first few minutes of your vid, you explained why, as I started using higher grades of double-braid dyneema, my lines were a God-Awful mess of donuts. Thanks a million. I'm heading to the boat, in the snow, to unravel my lines and fold them.
It's not how to do it, it's why it was done, and why this should be done... Explaining the difference between storing 3 strand and double braid, explaining the squaring out of 3 strand that got forgotten on the way.... Great Stuff!
Great stuff I learned two things today, 1. The why and the how on folding ropes. 2. I could have learned this three years ago if I had found your channel much earlier.😉
Another great video, thats where ive been going wrong always wondered why my climbing rope was so twisted! Noone has explained so clearly before! Thanks CSM
Great video. Yes, I'm one of those that "coils" a rope, so good to learn something new/better, especially since I just bought a sailboat and will start sailing again soon after may years off the water. The "gasket" idea was enlightening as well. I like the historical perspective too. I'll be following your videos now. Thanks.
Great video. I have been folding lines for years as that is how my father taught me to store electrical cords. I recently have been trying to retrain my brain to use a figure eight method as that is what I saw most other sailors using, but now I don't have to change. Thanks! - Steve : The Sailing Rode Podcast
+The Sailing Rode Hi there, the figure eight method is a possibility as a storage option but I shy aware from it as it can end up with lines coiled that way and then stored for any kind of period ending up really messed up as the uneven twists present in the lower half of the coil can start to create hitches over each other. I use figure of eight coils when storing a line over a winch on deck as gravity is going to keep it somewhat ordered during the storage period. Plus, as the cockpit is a working area the likelihood is that a line stored in this way will only be in position for a relatively short period of time. If I need to prepare a line for a quick run out for example when dropping a kite again figure eights are a good option but I don't think personally figure 8's should then become the way to coil lines in the rope locker. Dad was right :)
+Spartan Ocean Racing I always found that the figure eight didn't do much better than the looping. But I did know to get the loops out before using the line. The folding method is new to me and excellent. Thanks so much for sharing.
Great vid - I've been trying to explain these issues to people for years, but it's hard when even the skippers / boat owners don't know &/or prefer their old method. Even your explanation of the secure gasket at the top is good (never knew that's what it was called). QUESTION: What about use of a SINNET CHAIN for Dynema / Spectra lines? Don't see it done very often, but I occasionally do this to keep lines on deck or below that are temporarily not required in a quick ready-to-use-again state.
Greatly good advice and had to watch it twice. Have been folding now I now better! Even my son who did a super yacht course was unaware of thesis and the ramifications of coiling. Cheers
Great work, thanks!! Just forwarded the link to some of my crew. My grandfather taught me a Figure-8 variation that prevents the criss-crossed loops from becoming un-laid and getting tangled. Instead of a placing the gasket at the end of the coil, he placed it in the middle (where the loops cross) by finishing off with two very short loops maybe a foot apart, winding the tail around the coil (as in traditional gasketing), threading the bitter end through the short loop, and then making it fast by pulling through one leg of the opposite short loop. Similar technique to whipping a rope end. Works best for very small through medium size line. Unwieldy for large lines, e.g., 150+ ft of 5/8". Have you seen that technique used? I call it a "Nunn Coil" in honor of his last name.
Use similar folding techniques on shore power cables or water hoses, though just tie them off with cord at the top of the coils at the end rather than doing the gasket wrap turns. On thin dinghy halyards, I do figure of eight turns around my fingers. Open your hand out, go round 2 fingers one way and the other 2 fingers the other way, but not too tight otherwise you will not get the coils off your hand.
The fingers figure of 8 works really well for the towline I use while sea kayaking. Fast and the line pays out perfectly. I end up doing a fair bit of towing as a day tour guide. But I’m going to investigate the use of folding too.
I started in climbing and could never figure out why so many sailors abuse their lines. Great info on the "why." I think more videos that show the logic behind the method would be great. I also find a lot of the methods for tying knots and hitches slightly different so it would be great to see some of the logic behind those...
Thank you so much for this! When I first started working for Decision (ex Pegasus) the first job I had was to reflake every single line the boat owned to drill it into my muscle memory, and it was made clear that future employment was contingent on flaking not coiling. Since then I have drilled the same thing into all of my crew. I would suggest a few future videos... 1) winches and how to work with them. 2) how to bed deck hardware. 3) how to size deck hardware and line (load calculations) 4) headsail changes and how to learn to love them.
+greg rubin Hi Greg, Those are some great suggestions thank you- but what terrible experience led you to suggest 'bedding in deck hardware' :)? Look out for the next episode coming soon.
REALLY helpful. Thanks for doing this. Please keep in mind that some of us are cruisers and although there are many common topics I hope that not too much time is set on sailing only sessions (eg. setting sails etc ) Looking forward to future episodes. Thanks to Jeff for the link here.
Hi Neil, Thanks for the positive feedback. My background is tall ships, British Navy, super yachts, race boats, cruising and then Round the World stuff I'm really hoping to try to walk the line between all of those aspects of sailing filling in the gaps as I go. I was thinking of looking at winch handling next- taking the same attitude of looking at the real details of why we do this or that- what do you think? I invite anyone to submit ideas to me on what aspects of seamanship they would like to find out more about - my aim is to create a resource here that explains 'why' we do the things we do on boats rather than just prescriptively saying, ' this is what we do'. All the best and look for the next video within a week or so (snow allowing here in Canada!) Cheers, CSM
+Spartan Ocean Racing Winches is nice topic and would undoubtedly be of interest. How about something along the lines of setting dock lines, or docking using spring lines, maneuvering using around slips using lines? Undoubtedly a bunch of topics around navigation etc would also be an area to explore. Thanks and keepup the great work. nm
excellent! Instead of twisting the line to form a coil, I was taught to lay the line across the holding hand. Each loop ends up in a figure eight. this keeps the twists out. Are you familiar with this method? Your opinion?
Hi Reggie, thanks for the feedback and for pointing out a development of the technique shown in this video. Creating figure eights in your hand is definitely the same as folding the rope in that it creates a line that is 'neutral' when it comes out of storage- I use this technique a lot when storing a line temporarily on a winch in the cockpit. My only reservation when using figure 8's for long term storage on the boat is that the coils can start to cast hitches over each other over time leading to a line that is difficult to work with straight out of its coil. I would like to hear more of your experience with this. Cheers, CSM
Really works and great for the electric mower cord. But, when I show this to people I get blank looks. There is no way they are going to change what they have been doing for years.
Not sure you are correct about the traditional coil. You put in a twist as you coil it. As it uncoils that twist is released. (Will test this next Time) That said the climbers method is best, as you should be able to dump the rope on the deck and it runs freely.
I rock climb climbers coil there rope the same way theres a quicker way of doing it normally climbing with twin 8mm 60m rope Google it might beneficial.👍
Hi Douglas- I started as a climber and worked for Outward Bound for 6 years in Hong Kong- you are 100% right about the fact that climbers knew how to do this with Kernmantle rope years and years ago.. but shuuussshhh! Don't tel the sailors :)!!
Thanks a lot. All this background is so helpful to remember, it's much better than just being told how to do it.
Supergood
This is how the International Sail and Power Association teaches line stowage. Thanks for a very clear explanation.
After over 60 years of sailing this proves I still have stuff to learn! Great video...looking forward to more.
Holy crap! This explains a lot. I learned by seamanship back in the 60's as a Sea Cadet boatswain. Those were the days of three strand natural fibers like hemp and manila. I could splice and rig with the best of them In those days nylon was the new thing to learn. Fast forward to the new century, I get back into sailing and suddenly the reason those quarter turns showing up on my lines make sense. Thanks Chris, I'll have to pass this on. Who knew that after 5,000 years or so of sailing there are still new(er) tricks to learn.
Super simple and instructive. Thanks for sharing. No more coiling for me, just folding.
I was brought to this video by a comment from one of our viewers on one of our videos about the same subject (our video was far inferior to this!) This is superb content - please keep it coming. Fair winds, Chris 👍
Thank you for the positive feedback- I have ben away from YT for a little while now-just getting new content together this week to restart the channel- would love to chat about the Sailing YT experience with you a little further !!
Thanks for this. Been doing the gasket bit for 50 years (after Dad learned it from somewhere) but had never seen the folding. Looking forward to using it now.
Brilliant, a really simple solution to something I have been doing wrong for decades!
Fantastic lesson. Keep it up, most modern sailors haven't a clue about seamanship. Thats why things go wrong!!
Got to love it teaching this old dog new tricks😎
Such a great explanation. Why isn’t this talked about more!?
Thanks, very interesting.
Just listened to the long podcast with Rob Phillips. I found so much interesting and informative. So I came looking for the Flemish coil or I guess we called it a rope cheese!
Annoying you can comment directly on specific podcasts on iPhone any way
cheers Warren
As long as I've known about sailing, ropes and lines this is totally new stuff to me. I have never been into racing much, but I would imagine it is very important for competition and especially so if you are single-handing! I will need to watch it again for sure.
Chris,
Great video! Not only do you clearly explain the technique but, more importantly, you give some historical context and the underling reasoning. thanks so much. looking forward to Ep2.
Thanks for this video. Close friend of mine got involved with Spartan and suddenly I'm interested in what you are up to. In the first few minutes of your vid, you explained why, as I started using higher grades of double-braid dyneema, my lines were a God-Awful mess of donuts. Thanks a million. I'm heading to the boat, in the snow, to unravel my lines and fold them.
It's not how to do it, it's why it was done, and why this should be done... Explaining the difference between storing 3 strand and double braid, explaining the squaring out of 3 strand that got forgotten on the way.... Great Stuff!
I also used to be one of these lasso swingers before I watched your video. Congrats great stuff.
Great stuff I learned two things today, 1. The why and the how on folding ropes. 2. I could have learned this three years ago if I had found your channel much earlier.😉
Hey, thanks, always good to learn something new - even something so seemingly simple.
Great instructional video looking forward to the next one.
Another great video, thats where ive been going wrong always wondered why my climbing rope was so twisted! Noone has explained so clearly before! Thanks CSM
Great video. I'm afraid to admit I've been doing the wrong way for a long time. I will start your recommended method immediately.
Great video! Now I understand why mine always get tangled and what to do about it. Thanks!
Wonderful, thanks! Looking forward to many episodes!
Great start to a series - congratulations! Looking forward to more episodes.
Excellent video. Thanks for sharing.
Great video. Yes, I'm one of those that "coils" a rope, so good to learn something new/better, especially since I just bought a sailboat and will start sailing again soon after may years off the water. The "gasket" idea was enlightening as well. I like the historical perspective too. I'll be following your videos now. Thanks.
Great video, I was doing it all wrong. Thanks!!!
Very cool. Good clear instruction. Can't wait to finally get it right:)!
Brilliant, just brilliant.....
Awesome video Chris. I would love to see more like this.
Great video. Can't wait to see the next episode!
I used some of that already but this has some great reasons and new techniques I didn't know. Well done! Can 't wait to see more!
Excellent. Thank you 🙏
greeat video!! looking forward for moree
Great video. I have been folding lines for years as that is how my father taught me to store electrical cords. I recently have been trying to retrain my brain to use a figure eight method as that is what I saw most other sailors using, but now I don't have to change. Thanks! - Steve : The Sailing Rode Podcast
+The Sailing Rode Hi there, the figure eight method is a possibility as a storage option but I shy aware from it as it can end up with lines coiled that way and then stored for any kind of period ending up really messed up as the uneven twists present in the lower half of the coil can start to create hitches over each other. I use figure of eight coils when storing a line over a winch on deck as gravity is going to keep it somewhat ordered during the storage period. Plus, as the cockpit is a working area the likelihood is that a line stored in this way will only be in position for a relatively short period of time. If I need to prepare a line for a quick run out for example when dropping a kite again figure eights are a good option but I don't think personally figure 8's should then become the way to coil lines in the rope locker. Dad was right :)
+Spartan Ocean Racing I always found that the figure eight didn't do much better than the looping. But I did know to get the loops out before using the line. The folding method is new to me and excellent. Thanks so much for sharing.
Excellent. Thanks mate!
Great vid - I've been trying to explain these issues to people for years, but it's hard when even the skippers / boat owners don't know &/or prefer their old method.
Even your explanation of the secure gasket at the top is good (never knew that's what it was called).
QUESTION: What about use of a SINNET CHAIN for Dynema / Spectra lines?
Don't see it done very often, but I occasionally do this to keep lines on deck or below that are temporarily not required in a quick ready-to-use-again state.
Great thanks, looking forward to learning more.
Greatly good advice and had to watch it twice. Have been folding now I now better! Even my son who did a super yacht course was unaware of thesis and the ramifications of coiling. Cheers
Really happy to help!! Here's to the end of rope knots!!
Great work, thanks!! Just forwarded the link to some of my crew. My grandfather taught me a Figure-8 variation that prevents the criss-crossed loops from becoming un-laid and getting tangled. Instead of a placing the gasket at the end of the coil, he placed it in the middle (where the loops cross) by finishing off with two very short loops maybe a foot apart, winding the tail around the coil (as in traditional gasketing), threading the bitter end through the short loop, and then making it fast by pulling through one leg of the opposite short loop. Similar technique to whipping a rope end. Works best for very small through medium size line. Unwieldy for large lines, e.g., 150+ ft of 5/8". Have you seen that technique used? I call it a "Nunn Coil" in honor of his last name.
Hey , really very helpful! Thanks much. Subscribed and look forward to more.
Excellent...thanks!!
Use similar folding techniques on shore power cables or water hoses, though just tie them off with cord at the top of the coils at the end rather than doing the gasket wrap turns. On thin dinghy halyards, I do figure of eight turns around my fingers. Open your hand out, go round 2 fingers one way and the other 2 fingers the other way, but not too tight otherwise you will not get the coils off your hand.
The fingers figure of 8 works really well for the towline I use while sea kayaking. Fast and the line pays out perfectly. I end up doing a fair bit of towing as a day tour guide.
But I’m going to investigate the use of folding too.
That was great! Thanks.
Great practical stuff...keep it coming!
I started in climbing and could never figure out why so many sailors abuse their lines. Great info on the "why." I think more videos that show the logic behind the method would be great. I also find a lot of the methods for tying knots and hitches slightly different so it would be great to see some of the logic behind those...
I'll be damn.... I was a pleasure watching you teach me something!
Thank you so much for this!
When I first started working for Decision (ex Pegasus) the first job I had was to reflake every single line the boat owned to drill it into my muscle memory, and it was made clear that future employment was contingent on flaking not coiling. Since then I have drilled the same thing into all of my crew.
I would suggest a few future videos... 1) winches and how to work with them. 2) how to bed deck hardware. 3) how to size deck hardware and line (load calculations) 4) headsail changes and how to learn to love them.
+greg rubin Hi Greg, Those are some great suggestions thank you- but what terrible experience led you to suggest 'bedding in deck hardware' :)? Look out for the next episode coming soon.
I was drunk, it was a major regatta, and the ballad 'I fell in love with a soft shackle' was on the radio.
+greg rubin lol
Awesome!
many thanks, a great tip. now to put into practice, sadly not till next year. (laid up now)
Thank you!!! Now when people ask why I can just say, "Because CSM." Then I'll send them this video link.
REALLY helpful. Thanks for doing this. Please keep in mind that some of us are cruisers and although there are many common topics I hope that not too much time is set on sailing only sessions (eg. setting sails etc ) Looking forward to future episodes. Thanks to Jeff for the link here.
Hi Neil,
Thanks for the positive feedback. My background is tall ships, British Navy, super yachts, race boats, cruising and then Round the World stuff I'm really hoping to try to walk the line between all of those aspects of sailing filling in the gaps as I go.
I was thinking of looking at winch handling next- taking the same attitude of looking at the real details of why we do this or that- what do you think?
I invite anyone to submit ideas to me on what aspects of seamanship they would like to find out more about - my aim is to create a resource here that explains 'why' we do the things we do on boats rather than just prescriptively saying, ' this is what we do'.
All the best and look for the next video within a week or so (snow allowing here in Canada!)
Cheers,
CSM
+Spartan Ocean Racing
Winches is nice topic and would undoubtedly be of interest. How about something along the lines of setting dock lines, or docking using spring lines, maneuvering using around slips using lines? Undoubtedly a bunch of topics around navigation etc would also be an area to explore.
Thanks and keepup the great work.
nm
Loved it...keep it up
nice idea i wonder if this would be as easy to unlay as a figure 8 laid coil ? which also reverses twist ?
Perfect! I really have to remember "donkey ears" or better "granny's tits".
😂😂😂 Love it! 👍
This is the way. I call it ‘goofy ears’ my wife calls it ‘dogs bollocks’.
excellent! Instead of twisting the line to form a coil, I was taught to lay the line across the holding hand. Each loop ends up in a figure eight. this keeps the twists out. Are you familiar with this method? Your opinion?
Hi Reggie, thanks for the feedback and for pointing out a development of the technique shown in this video. Creating figure eights in your hand is definitely the same as folding the rope in that it creates a line that is 'neutral' when it comes out of storage- I use this technique a lot when storing a line temporarily on a winch in the cockpit. My only reservation when using figure 8's for long term storage on the boat is that the coils can start to cast hitches over each other over time leading to a line that is difficult to work with straight out of its coil. I would like to hear more of your experience with this.
Cheers,
CSM
Really works and great for the electric mower cord. But, when I show this to people I get blank looks. There is no way they are going to change what they have been doing for years.
Now I know: but I ve spent a fair while being led astray by the RYA!!
Not sure you are correct about the traditional coil. You put in a twist as you coil it. As it uncoils that twist is released. (Will test this next Time)
That said the climbers method is best, as you should be able to dump the rope on the deck and it runs freely.
I rock climb climbers coil there rope the same way theres a quicker way of doing it normally climbing with twin 8mm 60m rope Google it might beneficial.👍
Here's a link m.petzl.com/GB/en/Sport/How-to-coil-the-rope-
Hi Douglas- I started as a climber and worked for Outward Bound for 6 years in Hong Kong- you are 100% right about the fact that climbers knew how to do this with Kernmantle rope years and years ago.. but shuuussshhh! Don't tel the sailors :)!!
@@CSMtheMariner yeah, I have a climbing background... Omg. I have been trying to say this for 20 years. All but given up now :)
Loved the video, Keep up the good work. We would love if you could check out our channel, like a few videos and subscribe if you enjoyed!