double braid to 12 strand "Tail Splice"

[Brion Toss]

Hello,
This is one of our favorite things to do, not the least because, as you say, it makes for better use of materials. I hope to be providing details of some of these splices in a book and/or video in the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, it is first of all vital that you do actual destruction tests, not approximations with a chain hoist, so that you will know your tolerances. We have tested some of our splices at right about 100% of the HM line's strength, so I know it can be done. We have Brummeled the two cores together for some applications, simply buried it a long way for others. For halyards, one key is that the splice should usually be well past the winch and stopper before any significant load comes on. That way you don't have to recruit the total strength of the fatter rope, just the core. If you want to recruit some or all of the cover strength, you will need a long bury of the HM, plus stitching. This seems to work better than a long bury of cover inside the HM.
When you do bury the cover end, put the whole thing in, tapered, usually for a foot or so. Stitch so that it can't fall out; there won't be any load on it.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss