ShipStore.com Beacon: How to Coil a Line
Issue 55, October 28, 2005
http://www.ShipStore.com
Floating your boat since 1982 TM


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IN THIS ISSUE:
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~ CAPTAIN'S TIP: How to Coil a Line
~ CAPTAIN'S SPECIALS: Lots and Lots of Line
~ CAPTAIN'S CONTEST: "Win a Shopping Spree" Drawing

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~ CAPTAIN'S TIP: How to Coil a Line
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Everybody can coil a rope, right?

Wrong.

Or, at least, sort of wrong. I suppose most anybody can manage to get a rope into a pile and call it a coil, but surprisingly few boaters are really good line coilers!

You think I'm joking... I challenge you to walk down the dock at your marina next spring and inspect the lines on neighboring boats. You'll be surprised.

Most people think that coiling a rope is the same as coiling an extension cord, wrapping twinkling lights around a Christmas tree, or twirling a lock of hair around your finger. But a real boater, a true seaman knows better.

Getting my Boston Whaler ready for winter storage a couple of weeks ago reminded me that even my own family and friends sometimes overlook this fundamental art, so I'm going to attempt a mini refresher course.

First of all, coiling a rope is NOT like coiling an extension cord. That's to say, you absolutely, positively never want to wrap a line in tight coils around your arm, between your hand and tricep. I know, we all learned to do it this way as kids, and I sometimes even do it myself when pulling in the waterski towline, but it's a great way to tangle your rope when you try to use it again down the road. And it looks pretty darn sloppy on your deck too.

So, that's what not to do (always easier), now it's time for a little instruction. I'm right-handed, so my instructions will need to be reversed if you're a "south paw".

Okay, here goes.

Grab the end of your rope in your left hand, and extend your left arm away from your body somewhat. Open your left hand, palm up and thumb away from you with the rope lying across your palm.

Now, use your right hand to gather a loop of rope. I keep loops the same size by extending my right arm each time, but you can reduce the size of each loop if you prefer. Once you've gathered a loop with your right hand, lay it into your left hand. Once you've gathered a couple of loops you'll probably need to begin gripping the coils with your left hand to avoid dropping the loops.

Now, here's a little hint. As you lay each new loop into your left hand, twist the rope slightly between your forefinger and thumb. It's only a slight twist, and most twisted rope will actually "show" you how to twist it. If it resists, try the other way. You'll find that your otherwise stiff and unruly rope falls neatly into place.

What about braided line? It's a little different. You may have noticed that braided ropes, for their many merits, also have a propensity to tangle more readily than twisted ropes. Fortunately, you can help minimize the chance of tangles if you alternate your twists so that each new loop gets subtly twisted in the opposite direction. Since braided rope is much more pliable and has less "memory", you'll find that it's pretty easy to do this. But it does take paying a little attention.

Rope will uncoil like a serpent in the sun months or even years after being coiled and stored properly. Now it's time to teach everybody else on the dock!

George Davis, Beacon Editor
editor@shipstore.com

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~ CAPTAIN'S SPECIALS: Lots and Lots of Line
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Mega Cordage and Dock Lines Sale
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/SALE/SALECORDAGE.html

Samson Cordage
http://www.shipstore.com/SS/HTML/SAM/00-INDEX-SAM.html

Yale Cordage
http://www.shipstore.com/SS/HTML/YAL/00-INDEX-YAL.html

Wellington Cordage
http://www.shipstore.com/SS/HTML/WLP/00-INDEX-WLP.html

Seafarer Cordage
http://www.shipstore.com/SS/HTML/SEA/00-INDEX-SEA.html

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~ CAPTAIN'S CONTEST: "Win a Shopping Spree!" Drawing
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Win a $100.00 credit at ShipStore.com by submitting your 4th of July photos for the First Annual Independence Day Photo Contest. Photos should clearly capture the Independence Day theme, but the subject is totally up to you. Get creative. To be eligible, all you have to do is send us your photo(s) before August 1. If you have a digital camera, please send your photos as an attachment, preferably in JPG format. If your photos are printed, please scan them and send the digitals as an email attachment to: editor@shipstore.com . It's that easy!

You'll be sent a confirmation email to let you know that we've received your submission. Good luck.

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