Saturday, February 12, 2011

DIY: Nautical New Balances

DIY: Nautical New Balances

During the middle of basic sailing instruction this morning, I had the bright idea of creating my own Nautical New Balances (inspired by the Kennedy model). So I went down to the West Marine and purchased some line (sheet) for a little over $6.

Here's the process:















Editor's Note: I went with 3 ft which was a little short so I would recommend going with 4 ft.
I went back the same day and got 4 ft. Here's a picture.

17 comments:

  1. New Balance® Classics M573

    http://www.zappos.com/new-balance-classics-m574-gray-silver-white

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  2. I believe the problem with shoelaces coming loose all the time began when they started making them from nylon (as opposed to cotton?) which prevents them from "bonding" to themselves when tied. If those laces are nylon then I would expect the same problem.

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  3. What you forgot to tell us is that you really didn't try this out much before rushing to post it. This knot used with this cord will not hold - you will need to re-tie many times during the day. Or simply use a different knot.

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  4. well if a conventional shoelacing knot wont hold surely one of these nautical knots will?

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  5. Brilliant stuff Skip. What did you do to keep the ends from fraying? I don't see any whipping twine on the end. Also, tying them with a square knot would look awesome on these and solve the problem many have stated.

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  6. I went back the same day and got 4ft. Now the knot is perfect.

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  7. Here is how to prevent the ends from fraying. Take a match to them. They melt and fuse! Fun! Take it from a sailor.

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  8. I Make something like this years ago, to prevent fraying i use a 'super glue' Cyanoacrylate based adesive (Here in Brazil a popular brand is Henkel`s Super Bonder) .

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  9. how did you get these to go through the holes? i got the thinnest sheet west marine offered and i still cant thread it.

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  10. @zippo
    Good question. I used scissors to widen the hole.

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  11. Stumbled across and thought... 'this is cool'! What diameter line did you use?

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  12. Can these be found online? If so where?

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