Robert Delfs wrote:

> Instead of three-strand, most modern cordage is braided, parallel core
> plaited, or double-braided.  I've got all the above on my boat, but not
> a meter of hemp, and not a meter of three-strand.

Interesting difference in our current choices.  It's been a long time since
I've deliberately had any hemp line on any of my boats.  On the other hand,
I have no braided line aboard at all.  Everything I have is three strand
simply because everything I have either is, or might need to be spliced and
I don't know how to splice braided line.  I'd be willing to bet that I have
the only 10 foot dinghy with 40 foot dock lines.  I'm the only one I know of
that has the same size lines on a 15 foot boat and I'm one of a few I've
ever met that has them on a 32 footer.  Years ago, I found that long lines
were worth the extra effort.  Many marinas I have frequented are set up for
much larger boats.  My long lines make securing my boat a lot easier.
Having all lines the same length ensures my mooring plans are not thwarted
at the worst possible moment by a line that is not as long as I thought.

> He'll teach you twelve hitches, seven bowlines and eight different
> bends, all useful, as well as how to splice anything to anything,
> including 1x19 wire.  For the record, however, his list of the basic
> knots (and knot groups) - which isn't the same as mine - is as follows:

Worth a look if it will teach me to splice braided line.  I've been
searching high and low for someone that would.  It seems that those that
can, are carefully protecting their knowledge in hopes that people like me
will pay extra for spliced braid.

Lee