Double braid dacron eye splice, single braid eye splice...

OK, dude. You said:
I have looked at dozens of splicing instructions. I have watched videos on youtube.

I have seen so many DIFFERENT rope brand names for the SAME KIND OF ROPE FIBER that it makes little sense now.

Beginning to think that this is one of those things where everyone says, "I can do that with my eyes shut!" and really, no, most can't with eyes open.

Names are too confusing, techniques are too many. How about some simplification? Please. Anyone.

1 calm down
2 reread
3 practice
4 ???
5 profit

I just used a piece of scrap line (at one time, it was the jib sheet on my Tiger). Used line is tougher to splice than new line, because new line is slick; used line will be dirty. It makes a difference when you're "milking" the cover over the splice.

You want to use dacron double braid. It has a braided cover over a braided core:


Use the Samson Splicing Guide for splicing 12-strand rope:
http://www.samsonrope.com/site_files/12S_C1_EyeSpl.pdf

You'll need to buy or make a set of fids and a pusher:

You can make a fid from a ballpoint pen shell.

5/16" line is the smallest I'd try as a beginner. Smaller line can be done, but it's trickier.

Thanks for the reply.

There's a lot of advice out there. The choice of Dacron double-braid looks right. For both splicing, knot-tying, and low stretch.

Ran across this article from Practical Sailor. Check bottom of third paragraph on page 39. Practical Sailor seems to be a reputable, high-techie pub, so I trust them. Plus they quote Brion Toss who is big on splicing.

Their (both of them) conclusion is that the high-tech synthetic fiber is not good for knots. It either slips or weakens more than it ought to. And more than other kinds of fibers when knotted.

I was just looking for a replacement line for FX tramp that wouldn't stretch, would stay knotted and not slip. Thought about eye splicing some Amsteel for through the tramp and then using Dacron to tie that to eye straps on crossbars. But that looks like too much sugar for a nickel now...

Ropes needed to be rated for grip as well as stretch and strength, I think.

...I still haven't picked out a Dacron double-braid to go with, either.

Anyone got recommendations? Low stretch, good knot holding in 5mm-6mm or 1/4" size. Splicing won't work in this situation.

Funny that the number one google search on "dacron double-braid" comes up with "sta set".

But, the rope that gets the most complaints when doing a search here and elsewhere is... sta set.

You are putting way too much effort into this.

Go to your Hobie Dealer or West Marine. Pick something (anything) that's a dacron double braid - get scraps if they have them. You only need a piece that's about 4' long.

It ain't rocket surgery.

Heh, just having fun researching around...

Besides, we live in a world that torments us with advertising jargon. And when you get as many names for rope as these folks offer and as these folks offer and as these folks offer, well, then...

Unfortunately, my local West Marine only has spool after spool of sta set. Also, unfortunately, the Robline that Hobie offers is not so common -- although it appears to be among the best.

Not to twist your nose, Dr. Bounds, but as Brian Toss says, I quote: "...splices come at the end of a decision-making process. It does no good to know how to do a zillion different splices if you can't select the right rope for the job."

All that aside, if you haven't got the Tiger or FX tramp config to deal with, the rope issue is not rocket surgery, fer sure.