And have just discovered that StaySet X is easier to eye splice than normal double-braid.
Okay, I *did* screw it up the first time, cutting the core too short. But the second time around was easier, quicker, and now I just have to head up the mast to reeve the new topping lift. A good day puttering aboard the boat...
Basic technique:
- Measure 16x rope diameter from end, and mark the cover.
- Measure circumference of eye and make a second mark on the cover.
- Measure 24x the rope diameter from the second cover mark, and make a third mark on the cover
- Tie a butterfly knot 6-8 feet from the end of the rope.
- Pull the core out at the second cover mark.
- Slide the cover back from the core until it's bunched by the butterfly knot.
- Smooth the cover back over the rope, and mark the core where it emerges from the cover.
- Pull more core out from the cover, and measure 8x rope diameter from your last core mark, and mark the core again. This time you want to mark it very heavily, so the ink goes through the gauze which is wrapped around the core.
- The gauze which wraps the core is twisted around in two directions. Taking a razor, slice lineally through the gauze from about an inch beyond your last mark to just beyond it. Make sure the inner core fibres are marked, and if so gently pull on the gauze and it should slip off the linear core. Make sure the gauze doesn't extend beyond the mark.
- Tape the gauze tightly to the core fibres (suggested tape is masking tape), again making sure the tape doesn't extend beyond the mark. If your loop should have a closed shackle on it, slide it onto the core now, on the gause side of the mark.
- Tuck the core starting at the first mark, and exiting at the third mark. No matter what tool you're using (I used fids) this is going to be difficult. Bunch up the cover and milk/massage it over the core, and take your time.
- Once the core is through, gently draw the core through the cover until the gauze mark - where the the gauze was removed - is up to the second cover mark.
- Pinching at the second mark to hold the core in place, milk the cover smooth toward the third mark. When it is, draw 4-8x rope diameter of the core back out, again while pinching at the second mark to hold the core in place.
- Trim the core fibres at a long angle to taper the splice, then smooth the cover again to draw the core fibres back inside.
- Cut off 1/4 to 1/2 of the extra cover. Unravel half of the remainder, and trim at a long angle to taper the splice.
- Secure the butterfly knot to something (like hooking it over the horn of a cleat.) From other end, push the cover toward the butterfly knot to bare some more core. Tape the unraveled fibers to the core securely. Milk/massage/smooth the cover back over the core, burying the taped-down cover.
- The eye should form fairly easily, pulling and working the cover, but the last inch or two will be very difficult. Try a good solid jerk or three.
- Using sail twine, sew through the buried cover a few times using small, tight stitches.