Roger Long wrote:
No, no, NO!

Every single thing that goes on a boat has to be from a marine supply
store. It must be approved by the manufacturer for it's intended use
and have an identifying part number. It may have come from the exact
machine as the same item at the local True Value but it must be in a
little plastic bag with the numbers and the price will be three to
four times higher. This even applies to none critical items like
plugs and trim pieces such as you describe.

Just kidding. That's the way it is in aviation. You know, it's kind
of nice not to be managing an airplane anymore. I just had a very
relaxing day working on my boat and learning how to splice double
braid.

BTW "Fid Length" for New England Ropes has nothing to do with the
fids. It's just a term they made up for the measurements in the kit
or instructions. Follow them *exactly* and everything will work out
fine even though it's a complete mystery what you are doing until the
finished splice is suddenly sitting there in your hands.



We learned to splice line in our Power Squadron 'Piloting' course.
Trouble is, I haven't tried it since.