Amsteel-Staset splice
 

I have been trying Allene's Dyneema-Sta-set splice any failed miserably. Either the dyneema-cover crossover is wholly in the wrong place, or the core seems to slip inside the cover and I wind up with a thin spot in the core that can be felt thru the cover. I am curious if anyone has instructions for the same splice written differently or a video of it being done?

Splice
 

Hi,
Would you post a link to that splice?
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

Here you go. http://l-36.com/halyard_splice.php

I made one of these splices
 

I used the instructions on L-36.com to make a halyard for a 21 foot sailboat using 5/32 Amsteel and 5/16 StaSet. I refigured the lengths to match the different sizes of line, matching the ratios used on L-36. Everything went well until the step of burying the StaSet cover in the Amsteel. I got about halfway and could go no further with a splicing wand. So I disconnected the wand and used a sailmakers needle to sew the individual strands of the cover down the center of the Amsteel. This worked acceptably. This part of the splice came out more lumpy than I would have liked, but I reckoned it would be plenty strong for the purpose.

Unexpectedly, but now obviously, I found that the StaSet part of the halyard weighs more than the Amsteel part. If you aren't hanging on to the halyard when you disconnect the sail, the halyard and shackle zip to the top of the mast. We're all taught to hang on to the halyard, just in case. With this combination, it's not "just in case", it's a certainty.

I've done quite a few splices, but this was the most difficult I've ever attempted. The concept is great because it is a good replacement for a wire to rope halyard, without the need to replace mast head sheaves. I just wish there was an easier way to make the splice.

One reader suggest using an intermediate section of Amsteel to kind of taper the splice. This allows the StaSet outer braid to be buried into a larger Amsteel. Then do an end for end splice between the two Amsteel sections. I have not done this myself as I prefer the full length Amsteel with the Tenex cover. There the splice does not enter into the strength as the core is full length. Tenex (only use white) is very nice on the hands and doesn't snag like Regatta Braid.

This page has all three halyard variations.

You really do not want to let go of a tapered halyard.

Allen
L-36,com