Splice up your life!
For high-performance ropes like Marlow D12, Marlow Excel Control, and Marlow Excel Racing, a well-executed splice is safer, stronger, and sleeker than any knot.
Why Choose Splicing Over Knots?
Strength retention: A correct Dyneema eye splice retains far more strength than a knot, which creates tight bends and stress points.
Low bulk & low friction: Spliced terminations and continuous loops run cleanly through blocks, cleats, and fairleads.
Reliability: Splices distribute load evenly and resist slippage in low-stretch lines.
Professional finish: Compact, tidy terminations that look as good as they perform.
Top tip: Always follow the rope maker’s method for the specific construction. Marlow provide excellent, method-specific tutorials and guides.
FM Sailing Recommends:
Marlow D12 (4 mm) — Great for primary lines in systems under very high loads or halyards not running through cleats. Comes in a range of colours and diameters, and is very easy to eye splice. Also fantastic for creating soft shackles — check out the FM Ultimate Soft Shackle — Datasheet (PDF).
Marlow Excel Control (4 mm) — Polyester core with a blended Technora® + Polyester cover designed for continuous control loops that run through cleats and fairleads all day. The Technora® fibres deliver excellent abrasion resistance, heat tolerance, and grip in cleats, ideal for kicker, cunningham, and outhaul systems. Wide colour range for easy line ID; splices into smooth, snag-free loops — Datasheet (PDF).
Marlow Excel Racing (4 mm) — Dyneema® core with a hard-wearing polyester cover, offering an outstanding balance of strength, low stretch, and abrasion resistance. Grips reliably in cleats and maintains performance under load — ideal for single-ended control lines and halyards, plus performance sheets where handling matters — Datasheet (PDF).
Typical efficiencies in well-made terminations (4 mm lines):
| Rope Type | Typical Knot Efficiency | Typical Splice Efficiency | Example (based on 4 mm breaking strain) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 mm Marlow D12 (Dyneema) — Datasheet (PDF) — 2,060 kg breaking strain | 40–55 % | 90–100 % | Knot ≈ 820–1,130 kg / Splice ≈ 1,850–2,060 kg |
| 4 mm Marlow Excel Racing (Dyneema Core / Polyester Cover) — Datasheet (PDF) — 995 kg breaking strain | 55–65 % | 85–95 % | Knot ≈ 550–650 kg / Splice ≈ 845–945 kg |
| 4 mm Marlow Excel Control (Polyester Core & Cover) — Datasheet (PDF) — 478 kg breaking strain | 50–60 % | 85–90 % | Knot ≈ 240–285 kg / Splice ≈ 405–430 kg |
Figures are indicative for quality terminations under controlled conditions. Always consult Marlow’s product data for rope-specific ratings and splicing methods.
D12 Eye Splice
Excel Control Continuous Loop Splice
Safety & Best Practice
Always pre-load and inspect new splices; add a lock stitch or whip at the throat where recommended.
Breaking strain figures are for new rope in controlled tests; age, UV, abrasion, and heat can reduce strength.
Avoid shock loading; use chafe protection at high-wear points and retire lines that show glazing, cuts, or core exposure.
Match the splice method to the rope construction and diameter; follow Marlow’s official instructions.
