Bob, Sorry for delayed reply. I've been thinking about your comments and doing some more research. >I had the Marlow 12 stand plait line on the cal 46. Thanks for all the negatives on the 4-strand chain splice. I just sent an inquiry to Brion Toss (via Spartalk forum at briontoss.com - nifty website). I asked if there was any alternative to the 4-strand splice for plait or braid. My research says no, but thought I would ask. Right now it looks like one has to use 3-strand if one wants a high strength chain splice. I agree with your comments re high quality nylon, e.g. NE rope. My primary interest in plaits was more elasticity than 3-strand (as claimed by Yale for their "Brait"). Yale only goes up to 5/8", whereas we need 3/4. I've found several plaits, but all are less elastic than 3-strand. The other attraction of plait or braid (like Mega Braid, of which John Neal and Evans Starzinger are proponents), is easy handling, even when rope is aged. We're about to order a pair of Lofrans Progress II verticals with combo chain wheels for 3/8HT and 3/4 nylon. I've designed a ground tackle stowage scheme which I hope will auto-store, auto-deploy both chain and rope without snaggles. For the main rode of 150-ft HT, 250-ft nylon, the locker is divided by a swinging gate/roller into two deep/narrow spaces. The gate is directly under the hawsepipe. I think I will have to prototype this to determine whether it really works. For the para- and storm-anchor rode of 50-ft HT, 600-ft nylon, on it's own vertical, the locker is conventional. In this case, the braid or plait would most likely be more successful for auto stow/deploy. But I'm not sure it's a big deal as we can carefully flake the rode when stowing. What's important is that it deploy with 0% snaggles. Which will probably work fine with 3-strand, at least when relatively new. I consider ground tackle systems to be nearly the most important on the boat. It's frustrating that we haven't found a scheme that looks like the real answer. Even if we found the perfect answer for safe handling of the long rode, we still have the problem of a reliable connection to the bridle arms. >I believe Brian Toss's new book has excellent >pictures. Yes, pg 90. >I do not know if Earl Heinz's has some. Yep, pg 131. BTW, here are a couple of ideas for high strength shackle-type rope/chain connections. Neither of these seems to be well-known nor readily available: a) Maillon Rapide stainless quicklinks (French). Evans Starzinger used the 12mm links with 3/8-inch chain on his circumnavigation on "Sylk". I found them in Taihiti - the only US source I know of is JSI. b) Crosby Lok-A-Loy. The 10mm link fits Acco G40 3/8HT and is stronger than the chain, with WLL of 7100 lbs, ultimate of 28400 lbs. The Casanovas used these for their para-anchor tether. These also look "friendlier" than shackles, but of course won't go thru hawse-pipe nor chain wheel. Cheers, Steve ----------------- Stephen C. Darden Adagio Marine Ltd.