How to construct a V-bridle step by step

A longer bridle will experience less load than a short one owing to the reduced angle between the legs. The bridle should therefore be at least 2-3 times longer than the distance between deck cleats or other attachment points.

1

To make the centre eye splice 3m from your deck cleats, you’ll need 7.5m of line: 6m of which is for the two ‘legs’ plus 1.5m for two 30cm loops for the deck cleats.

2

The thimble should be positioned half way along the 7.5m length and is held in place with a brummel lock splice.

3

To make the brummel lock splice push a hollow fid through the centre of the first side of the loop.

4

Check there are two strand pairs each side of the fid, then push the opposite rope end into the fid and pull the whole length through.

5

Pull the rope tight to secure the thimble within its loop.

6

Now push the fid through the second half, just below where it passes through the first.

7

Feed the rope end of the first side through the fid and pull the remainder of the length through as before.

8

Pull through until the thimble is held tightly. Finish with a good pull to secure the splice.

9

Review the lay of the strands: tighten and adjust them to lay flatter if possible

10

Secure the spliced centre eye to a nail and extend the tails out straight. Form a loop on one and mark the first tuck of the splice on both sides. Match the marks on the other tail, but count seven ‘lumps’ of rope further down to allow for the splice.

11

Add anti-chafe webbing or rubber compensator to the legs.

12

Finally, splice both end loops. For a full step-by-step demo of an octoplait loop splice, see www.pbo.co.uk/ loop_splice