Double Braid Twist Question

[Brion Toss]

Hello,
Old problem, exacerbated by new materials. Let's start with the materials: double-braid, or any other braided rope, is laid up in both directions, so no matter which way you coil it, the twists from coiling will tend to accumulate. Coil over-and-under, a la the Apprentice, and that will help, as will periodically "pushing" counter twists, as needed, into the rope as you lower the sail. Sight down the rope, as you would down a rifle barrel, to be sure you get all the twists out.
The reeving is not an issue here, but that swivel block on the gaff is; make it non-swiveling.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[Dave R]

Thank you, Brion. Thanks for the information. I'll take a look at the Apprentice and work on the over-and-under coiling. First chance I get, I'll swap out that swivel block for a non-swiveling one.

I do have a question now about "pushing counter twists" into the rope. How is that done?

Should I take the line off the boat entirely, lay it out straight and then just work it through my hands from one end to the other?

Thanks again for you help.

Dave

p.s. Brion, the other day I had a couple of ideas while reading the Apprentice. First, it would be handy to have it in a pocket size to use on board. Maybe it would be split into several volumes to make the book pocketable.

The other idea is a stainless steel version. Mine is well thumbed. If I actually had a useful memory, I could memorize the content. As it is, I can only just remember the book I've seen something in when I want it.

[Brion Toss]

Hi again,
Glad to be of help. "Pushing twists in" is a matter of twisting the rope, in the direction that would unwind in situ twists, while overhauling the tackle. So if, for instance, you have left-laid twists in the peak halyard, you would put right lay twists in while lowering the sail. The idea is that the twists you put in, which are at first in the fall, migrate into the inra-block part of things as the sail comes down. Clear?
Stainless steel, hmm? I will talk to the publisher about pocket volumes.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss