Frayed Knot

[Coldwater]

Well, not really a knot. I was wondering what the best method might be for keeping lines such as stay-set, stay-setX etc from fraying on the ends. I had assumed that I could just heat the end and melt it like any nylon line, but that doesn't work. The outer sheath will melt, but no the core. I have taped them, but of course the tape comes off after a while. I have noticed that a number of the sheets on my boat are beginning to fray, making it hard to run them through blocks etc. Any suggestions?

[Sabreman]

I use a hot knife (see sailrite.com) followed by whipping with waxed sail twine. Lines that I spliced and whipped 6 years ago are still like new. There is also stuff into which you can dip a line and it forms a seal over the end. never used it, but would whip anyway.

[scottyt]

i use heat shrink, nice and cheap but very effective.

[sailingfool]

Wipping is the way to go, here's a basic how to:
How to Tie A Common Whipping Knot: How to Tie Boating Knots | eHow.com

[justified]

A properly whipped end should last a long time. It's relaxing and fun to do also!!!

[zz4gta]

whipping looks the best imo.

[RickWestlake]

I wrap masking tape around the line, cut it through the masking tape, then hold it upright while I light the end with a butane torch-lighter. The tape burns hot enough to melt the outer braid, and it flows into the inner braid - giving me a hard end to the line. Then I unwrap the tape, let it cool a few minutes, and finish with a sailmaker's whipping (stitch the whipping-twine through the line, wrap it about 10 turns, then stitch several times across the turns and bury the end of the thread in the line).

[Coldwater]

Thanks. I think I had better learn to whip, but the heat shrink sounds like a good idea too. I'll try both.

[Coldwater]

I like the look of the whipping. What kind of thread/cord do you like for whipping.

[jimd333sail]

The thin brown waxed twine at West Marine works well; you buy it in a whole spool which should last many decades.