Pesky Shroud Line

THE PESKY REPLACED SHROUD LINE: SAVE IT OR TOSS IT?

We have all gone through the initiation of dealing with the various used or short lengths of shroud line. Usually this line is the spun twisted control line. Some skippers use solid wire. Of course, then the question is 'to save it or toss it?' As generally happens, I elect to save the wire because those pieces come in handy many times. It saves cutting more pieces from the control line spool.

I was introduced to the vagaries of dealing with the shroud line when I started RC sailing in 1991. I was immediately and unceremoniously introduced to the ways of this twisted line. We all know the drill. The control line spool is reached for and the line is attempted to be wound onto the spool. Herein lies the problem. The wire, as we all know, seems to have a mind of its own: it's nasty and forces you to be ever vigilant as the line is wound onto the spool. All is well until the line(s) suddenly explodes from the spool and flies all over the place. This happens both when wound onto or being unwound. The other problem with the spool is you don't know what length lines are on it or if you're getting the one you really want.

After experiencing this exciting bit of hobby shop drama, I decided that there absolutely had to be a better way of dealing with this problem. Unbeknownest to me, most probably other hobbyists may have used my approach. I wish that I had known about it at the time. So, as the old saying goes "necessity is the Mother of invention." There is an easier way to deal with this and takes a minimal amount of time to get rid of a maximum amount of frustration.

Since one of the main factors for storage is line length I decided that hanging the line would be the logical way to do this. This way the pieces of line can be hung upon the wall and are out of the way and are easily accessible and different lengths visible. To accomplish this I used a 3" barrel spring paper clip.

	Glue piece of 1/8" ply about 1½" W and 3" L. onto one of the clip jaws with hot glue or CA glue.
	Stick 2 pieces of thick (allows wire to press into tape) ½" double stick tape lengthwise onto ply. When the jaws close they press hard onto double stick tape. Double stick tape holds ends of the wire pieces in place when placed onto the tape. Then the released jaw holds wire firmly in place.

To remove a piece of wire, grasp barrel of paper clip with thumb and forefinger, gently snap and tug the wire. Not necessary to depress handle of clip. When the wire releases from the clip jaws, slowly pull the line out of the wire bundle. It does not entangle with the other wires.

Another way to remove a piece of wire is to press the clip handles to make the wire end accessible, lift the selected wire end, where the ends are sticking onto the tape, then allow clip jaws to retain remaining wires. Comb down thru the bundle to check on the length (lines will separate easily). Gently hold wire bundle between thumb and forefinger and pull selected wire upward.

The twist wire will bundle up as it hangs, because of the spun twist in the wire strands. This is of no concern, because when all of the pieces of wire are placed in the clip jaws, about ¼" apart, they are essentially hanging parallel to each other. As long as they are hanging they will not entangle. If solid core wire is stored bundling will be to the minimum.

Joe Brohan