Coiling A Hose By Walking In A Straight Line

**rgsparber** · Nov 24, 2019, 05:54 AM

Originally Posted by Crusty

Another snarl free way to coil a line is to lay each loop so that the twist is in the opposite direction of the one in the previous loop (under, over, under, etc.). When you grab the end and pull it out it'll be straight.

Your suggested method seems to be what is demonstrated in the first video. Am I missing something here?

Rick

**Toolmaker51** · Nov 24, 2019, 07:36 AM

Crusty's description matches that final demonstration in the video; lines laid in figure 8.
It's semantics about twist, the line-handler is not inducing a twist. It's laid down as it "wants" to be, as if it dribbles from your fingers while you create the 8.
The sailboater has one distinct advantage, braided line vs whats commonly known as 3 strand[ed]. Those age old techniques developed around 3 strand of natural fibers, with lots of internal friction. The synthetics alleviate much of that.
The tubular 'sheath' of garden hose is braided, but the plastic jacket restricts flexibility somewhat. No matter what the label says.

Inducing twist happens at lest two ways. If simple thread [also made by twisting] was laid flat on a table weighted at one end; rolling a spool will gather it up with minimal twist, the weight will probably spin as a result. Winding same thread by hand, fed through your thumb & fingers on to a spool WILL induce twist and kinks. They won't necessarily be visible until trying to feed a sewing machine.
Another way to induce the twist is playing any Chubby Checker recordings, or some Traveling Wilburys.

**Crusty** · Nov 24, 2019, 07:58 AM

The method I stated doesn't produce a figure 8 lay, but rather a coil. Think of it as a stack of half hitches alternating between left and right lay.

But I prefer to flake a line if I have the space.

**Toolmaker51** · Nov 24, 2019, 08:28 AM

The coil mentioned should/ would pay out line dependably from a stable platform. Underway perhaps not, only one coil has to fall inside and ruin deployment. Fake and flake are interchanged, but fake appears to be correct term. Flake seems to connect with another technique called 'flemish'. Those are flat coils, wound from inside, great for shorter lengths.
It's all about getting line into use without delay, by storing it at the ready.

**Crusty** · Nov 24, 2019, 08:41 AM

Dunno about any proscribed usage of terms but I have sailed in some ocean races and we called it flaking. Ditto for stowing the mains'l on the boom or dowsing a heads'l for stowage.