Nautical Term: Whipping

Definition of Whipping

Whipping is a technique employed to secure the ends of a line, thereby preventing them from unraveling or fraying. This method involves wrapping the ends of the line with small stuff, such as stout twine or seizing wire. Once the ends are securely wrapped, the excess material is tucked in, completing the whipping process.

For instance, in a sailing race, a sailor may need to attach a new line to the sheet of a sail. To prevent the line from unraveling or fraying during the race, the sailor would use the whipping technique. The sailor would wrap the ends of the new line with stout twine, securing the excess twine by tucking it in. Once the whipping process is complete, the sailor can confidently attach the new line to the sail sheet, knowing that it will not unravel or fray during the race.

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