It was a long, tough winter and spring up here in the New York City area, with a lot of very high winds and tides. Many of the boaters here who didn't want to or couldn't afford to replace their dock lines last fall are finally realizing that if they don't do something with their damaged lines now, they will end up paying the piper down the road when their lines part and their boats break loose and sink or drift up on the rocks.
This is only my personal opinion, but I think it is only a matter of time before boat insurers are going to want to see proof that dock lines were in good condition before they pay off on claims resulting from parted lines. Heck, auto insurers now want proof that a driver was not on a cell phone call or texting at the time of an accident before they will pay off on a claim, so I doubt boat insurers will be far behind in that regard.
I have developed a rope log I maintain for each customer whose lines I splice. I keep it on my computer, and I notify the customer when his or her ropes reach a certain age. I also developed instructions for maintaining ropes in good condition and I am thinking about offering a rope cleaning and inspection service. After decades of pleasure and commercial boating experience, I have come to accept that rope is an integral part of a boat's safety equipment. It can save a boat and more importantly, save lives.
During the winter I bought an inexpensive folding wooden snack tray/table which I am currently converting to a portable knot tying bench. The conversion involves bracing the table (some of the rope I splice is quite heavy, a bit of additional bracing is needed to stabilize the table). In addition, I am adding a carry handle, a rack to hold pliers, fids, knives and picks, a rafter square to make two dimensional measurements, lumber to make it easier to clamp on my Zyliss vise which I use to hold my Brion Toss splicing wands when splicing double braids. I need to drill some holes so that I can attach my monkey fist and other jigs, a clamp I made to use for braiding, a cord measuring device and an socket for a small light and Dremel tool. Rubber chair leg bottoms will be added to prevent scratching boat decks when I take my work table with me.
I pilferred the idea from Vince Brennan, as I am somewhat cramped for space here in my apartment, and the table when open can be used anywhere in my apartment without getting in my wife's way. When folded it will store nicely between my computer desk and a wall. It fits right next to and is the perfect height for my computer desk chair. I can easily tote it to my back porch or the back yard if I decide to work out there, and I can take it with me when I baby sit my grandchildren or go to a knot meeting, craft fair or show. Nothing peaks people's interest, or makes them dig deep into their pockets, more than watching me splice rope, tie knots or make rope jewelry and objects d'arte. I have a very nice Craftsman combination folding work table/vise, but it is too way heavy to carry with me... although I did take it with me when the project required a heavy table and if it was going to last more than one day or so. I am trying to figure a way to add a cooler and beer tap, and will probably request bids for designs, plans and construction.
I have acquired a beautiful 24" double rimmed ships wheel that came off a derelict vessel that sunk in Jamaica Bay, just West of JFK airport that I plan to wrap. As part of a Jamaica Bay clean up initiative, derelict vessels are being rounded up and towed to the old sea plane ramp at the old Floyd Bennett naval air base where they are dragged out of the water, cut up and carted away. (Beware, the United States Park Police pull the serial number from the abandoned or derelict vessel, track down the owners and send them a bill for the cost of removal. Somehow, I ended up with the wheel from this particular vessel before it was scrapped. It should clean up nicely, and look great hanging on my wall. I plan to wrap it with #24 cotton 3-strand cord which I bought from Martin Combs.
Cap't. Walter M. Seltzer
The Knot Knut
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