My Viral Project, Summarize For Your Pleasure

So… I took a little writing hiatus. Not entirely, though.

To address the elephant seal in the room: I haven’t been aboard Avocet in nearly two years. What was supposed to be a six-month stint on terra firma turned into something three times longer, even after Chris returned to life aboard for a cruising season. There are a lot of reasons why, but for now, I’ll keep those close to my heart. That doesn’t mean I don’t miss boat life, or that I’ve somehow disqualified myself as a sailor. In fact, this time away has forced me to reflect on just how much Avocet is woven into my identity. It’s also made me examine the places where I still struggle with imposter syndrome, and the places where I no longer do.

I’ve spent a lot of time looking back on the adventures we had and the projects that made them possible. From major refits to the tiniest details, there is so much soul in Avocet. So much of Chris and me. Chris certainly had the larger hand in many of the projects. He had the skills, the experience, and often the time. Meanwhile, I was working full-time as a marina manager, building Fair Winds Media, and somehow finding enough hours in the day to produce content for Sailing Avocet. We made a good team and I contributed where I could, lending whatever time and skills I had available, in addition to being an eager student learning whatever Chris had the bandwidth to teach me along the way. Rarely did I get to take the reins on a project entirely, but there are a few contributions I’m particularly proud of. One was advocating for Nyalic on our mast; a decision that has held up beautifully over the years and inspired other sailors to do the same. Another was wrapping our wheel.

Recently, while combing through old photos and videos and reminiscing about what felt like “simpler” days, I stumbled across the time-lapse of me weaving our wheel. The video started making the rounds again, and suddenly the Avocet social media pages were flooded with comments, questions, and messages. I responded to as many people as I could, pointing them toward the resources I had used. In the process, I scratched an itch I hadn’t realized was bothering me. I missed this community.

So rather than simply answer the same questions over and over, I decided to sit down and write about the project. Without further adieu, here’s how I coachwhipped Avocet’s wheel.

 

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Why Wrap a Wheel?

The most common wheel coverings you’ll see are leather wraps and French whipping, both look elegant and can be completed relatively quickly. Inspired by the wheel aboard Chris’s brother’s boat, however, I decided to try something a little more ambitious. And by ambitious, I mean I took a perfectly reasonable six-strand coachwhipping pattern and tripled it. One hour into the project, I was seriously questioning my life choices.

Before we get into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.”

Many ship’s wheels are braided or wrapped with rope, leather, or cord to improve grip, comfort, and durability. On a working vessel, wet conditions can make a smooth wheel slippery, and a braided covering helps the helmsman maintain control, especially in rough weather. The covering also protects the wheel from sun exposure, salt, moisture, and general wear.

Beyond practicality, decorative ropework has long been part of maritime tradition. Our good pal Ethan aboard SV Eyoni is a master at rope work, and it is one of his best party tricks. Sailors like Ethan often used intricate knots and coverings to showcase their seamanship. Some patterns even served a practical purpose, allowing a helmsman to identify the wheel’s position by feel alone. Today, wrapped wheels remain popular because they combine functionality, craftsmanship, and nautical heritage. And, let’s be honest—they just look cool.

One concern I heard repeatedly online was whether the covering would trap saltwater and accelerate corrosion. It’s a fair question, but most marine wheels are built from corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel, bronze, or coated metals. Avocet’s wheel is stainless steel, and after years of use we’ve experienced no issues. In fact, a rope covering can help shield the wheel from UV exposure, scratches, and everyday wear while providing a much more comfortable grip. But giving your boat a good fresh water rinse is always a good idea 🙂

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Choosing Your Material

The material you choose depends on the appearance and longevity you’re after.

Tarred Marline

• Traditional appearance
• Excellent grip
• Extremely durable in marine environments

Waxed Nylon Seine Twine

• Affordable
• Easy to work with
• Highly durable

Polyester Cord

• UV resistant
• Available in many colors
• Long-lasting

Cotton Cord

• Traditional look
• Softer feel
• More susceptible to mildew and wear

For most cruising boats, waxed nylon or polyester cord offers the best balance of durability, appearance, and ease of maintenance. I used a whiter polyester chord that, yes, will (and has), browned over time but I was really looking forward to that natural patina which is like a badge of honor in my opinion. I am 80% certain this is the exact product I used (click to view)

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Measuring Your Wheel

Now, to be completely transparent: I am terrible at math. I have dyscalculia and get my numbers jumbled so I mostly eyeballed my measurements. Somehow, Poseidon gave me grace and I was lucky, ending up about three inches short, but I would not recommend following my example unless you enjoy creative problem-solving at the finish line.Before ordering materials, measure the circumference of the section of wheel you plan to cover. A flexible tape measure works best.

A good rule of thumb is to allow 8–12 times the finished length per working strand, depending on how tight and intricate your braid will be. Since I used three cords per strand, I multiplied that amount by three.

For example:

• Wheel section to be covered: 4 feet
• Eight working strands
• Approximately 10× coverage length

4 ft × 10 = 40 ft per working strand

40 ft × 8 strands = 320 ft of cord

Using three cords per strand:

320 ft × 3 = 960 ft of total cord

I recommend purchasing at least 10–15% more material than your calculations suggest.

Trust me.

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Creating the Coachwhipping

1. Divide your cord into equal working strands.
2. Secure the strands evenly around the wheel using tape, temporary seizings, or small clamps.
3. Begin weaving each strand over one and under one neighboring strand, working consistently around the wheel. It’s basically a big braid.
4. Maintain even tension throughout the project and periodically compress the braid to eliminate gaps.
5. Continue until the desired section is covered.
6. Finish the ends with a neat whipping or a Turk’s Head knot to conceal the strand ends and create a professional appearance. (or ask your good pal Ethan to tie your Turks head because you spent your creative bandwidth on the wheel itself.)

The process itself is not particularly difficult, but it is time consuming. The real challenge is consistency. Take your time, maintain even tension, and don’t be afraid to stop periodically and dress the braid.

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Final Thoughts

Coachwhipping requires far more patience than skill. The finished result is a wheel that feels secure in your hands, stands up well to years of use, and carries on a tradition of marlinespike seamanship that has been passed down through generations of sailors. Whether you’re restoring a classic yacht or simply looking for a project to add a little character to your boat, coachwhipping is well worth the effort.

YouTube can be a great resource, but the real hero of this project was a book that lived aboard Avocet for years: The Marlinspike Sailor. It provided nearly everything I needed to complete this project—except the measurement calculations, which you’re welcome for.

If you enjoy learning traditional ropework, decorative knots, whipping techniques, and practical seamanship skills, I highly recommend adding it to your ship’s library. It’s a fantastic way to spend an evening at anchor, impress your dock neighbors, or even earn a few dollars making custom ropework in a marina.

Fair winds, and happy weaving!

xx, Marissa