Double Braid Twist Question

[Dave R]

I've been having a heck of a time trying to eliminate the twist in my peak halyard. Does anyone have any ideas?

The halyard runs from the peak of the gaff to a double block on the mast. Then is runs to a swivel block near the mid point of the gaff, back to the double block and then down to the cabin roof and aft to the cockpit.

I suppose the reeving through these blocks on the mast and gaff would be considered spiral reeving.

I assume the twist is actually distributed throughout the halyard but it shows up in the legs between the double block and the mid-gaff and makes it difficult to raise the peak the last foot or so.

I also have the same sort of problem with the throat halyard but it doesn't seem to be as bad. I've tried to straighten the line before setting up but it doesn't seem to improve.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Dave

[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