How do you fake down a line?

Answer 1

Answer 1

I think you mean "flake" a line which is a way of laying the unused tail of any rope on the deck so that it is out of the way, looks neat, but won't get tangled if you start using the rope again. There are many ways to do this.

I don't know where the above answer was derived from but I am active duty navy and it is called "fake" why i do not know but, faking down a line is laying it up in the same manner as for coiling down, except that it is laid out in long, flat bights, one alongside the other, instead of in round coils. this is straight out of a navy publication. you can Google basic seamanship chapter 7 and there will be a whole 16 pages to fill you in.

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Answer 2

As often happens with historical nautical terminology, both "fake" and "flake" are different methods of doing the same thing and are often (though technically incorrectly) used interchangeably. A Flemish flake is the coil one often sees on the unused (running) end of dock lines.

This is done generally by people who want to appear 'yachty' and is generally used when both ends of line are secured (bitter), not to neatly stow a running end.

When done properly, it will allow a line to pay out smoothly from the center without tangling (fouling). It was common at one time for unloading merchant boats on a crowded dock because it is compact. It does take a bit longer and must be done in the correct direction lest the line's lay cause it to kink or roll, but with experience it can be done from above with one hand as the line falls to the deck.

"Faking" is using long bights (as mentioned) or overlapping figure-8s to achieve the same thing. One sees this on deck when a measured amount of anchor rode is paid out and runs free as the anchor falls but it unsuited to crowded docks because it tends to foul on the cleats.

Answer 2

I know the term as "flake down" - a line or a cable. Never heard it referred to as "fake' but when I searched I see that there is for and against on both sides. I have used it for 50 or more years to mean organizing the lay out of a running line or cable so that it can easily be run out again without tangling.