Question Reef hook: bolt snap or carabiner?

[Pressurehead]

Some SB member DM me on how to coil my reef hook from 6 foot long rope (1/4” paracord) as shown in Figure 1 into into a foot long coiled rope, as shown in Figure 5. So here is step by step procedure on how to coil it:

1. Fold the BSS end of the rope 6” away for the double figure-eight loop (D8) knot or 9” away from the BSS tip, as shown in Figure 2. This 6” folded rope will be used as “shaft” or “axle” for the rest of the coil to rest against the previous coil.
2. Coil the Reef Hook (RH) end of the rope, starting from the D8 knot, as shown in Figure 3.
3. Repeat the step 2 about 36 loops, make sure to pack the coils to fit 36 coils into 6” long “shaft”. Figure 4 shows 20 coils (halfway into the job).
4. Once the 36th coils is completed, there should be a small loop hole at the end of the “shaft” to fasten the RH end of BSS and secure the coiled rope, as shown in Figure 5.

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Figure 1: 6-foot long rope reef hook

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Figure 2: Fold BSS end of the rope for 6” long “shaft”

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Figure 3: First coil loop around the “shaft”

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Figure 4: Half way coiling the rope (20 loops)

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Figure 5: Reef Hook with coiled rope (36 loops)

Love what you have done Dan.
This works and it is not a 'birds nest' stuffing it my tech shorts or in my waist band, had a spare al spool and thought , why not.

 

[Dan]

Love what you have done Dan.
This works and it is not a 'birds nest' stuffing it my tech shorts or in my waist band, had a spare al spool and thought , why not.
View attachment 820488View attachment 820489

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That's a good idea, @Pressurehead! I'll put an empty spool in my BCD pocket.

 

[Dan]

It looks like I can put the whole kit with spool in my BCD pocket. DSMB in my right waist pocket and reef hook kit in my left waist pocket. No more dangling stuff.

 

[Pressurehead]

I am not the first to think of this, it is only my version of it.
And the cord is 3mm Venetian Blind Cord, it is high quality, strong, braided polyester cord, UV and abrasion resistant.
Very strong.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/grunt-3mm-x-20m-white-venetian-blind-cord_p4310518

 

[Dan]

My paracord is even stronger (6mm diameter, twice thicker polyester rope than yours).

I improve upon your spool idea by weaving the rope around the spool flange holes. So the spool would stay on the rope near the BCD D-ring. No more coiling the rope. Just wind it when I’m done with the reef hooking.

Very compact setup. Fits nicely inside BCD pocket.

 

[Pressurehead]

My paracord is even stronger (6mm diameter, twice thicker polyester rope than yours).

I have some of that 6mm cord, do you find it a little bulky and overkill? May be thicker, not sure if it is twice as strong though.
I would like to know the breaking strain of both, the maker of the 3mm site says :

Venetian Blind Cord 3mm x 100m - White ; SKU. 353144 ; Breaking Load (kg):200
VB cord is a versatile 16 plait polyester rope that has multiple uses. Commonly used for light halyards, lashing and lacing. Available in black or white and is UV stabilised for long life in permanent exposure. Ends can be heat welded.BR>
More than enough to hold my sorry arse in place.

 

[Dan]

I have some of that 6mm cord, do you find it a little bulky and overkill? May be thicker, not sure if it is twice as strong though.
I would like to know the breaking strain of both, the maker of the 3mm site says :

Venetian Blind Cord 3mm x 100m - White ; SKU. 353144 ; Breaking Load (kg):200
VB cord is a versatile 16 plait polyester rope that has multiple uses. Commonly used for light halyards, lashing and lacing. Available in black or white and is UV stabilised for long life in permanent exposure. Ends can be heat welded.BR>
More than enough to hold my sorry arse in place.

My 1/4" paracord:

1/4

Check out our 1/4

www.westmarine.com

The specs says its breaking strength is 2350 lbs (1067 kg).

2m long rope is thick enough to fit in finger spool and easy to grab on than thin (3mm) rope. So why not use it?

I have seen people use even thicker (1/2" or even 3/4"), too bulky to wind it into finger spool.

 

[Dan]

I have some of that 6mm cord, do you find it a little bulky and overkill? May be thicker, not sure if it is twice as strong though.
I would like to know the breaking strain of both, the maker of the 3mm site says :

Venetian Blind Cord 3mm x 100m - White ; SKU. 353144 ; Breaking Load (kg):200
VB cord is a versatile 16 plait polyester rope that has multiple uses. Commonly used for light halyards, lashing and lacing. Available in black or white and is UV stabilised for long life in permanent exposure. Ends can be heat welded.BR>
More than enough to hold my sorry arse in place.

Some ripping current can add the force to twice or three times of your body weight. I have bent reef hook, flooded my mask and broke my thin coil wire line as shown, below) before from ripping currents.

 

[rsfinn57]

what size spool are you using

 

[Dan]

what size spool are you using

Standard 3” OD x 1” Height that typically divers use for DSMB.