Single Tethers—a length of webbing or line with hooks on both ends.

Double Tethers—a length of webbing or line with two legs and 3 hooks. Each free leg terminates with a hook and one leg is usually half the length of the other. Double tethers enable a person to remain attached to the boat at all times since one leg is always secured while moving about the boat.

Elastic/Webbing Tethers—either single or double style. Uses tubular webbing with elastic inserted inside. The elastic (when sewn at each end of the webbing) causes the tether to retract when not under tension and, thus, stay out from underfoot.

For Rope Tether: Desired length (norm for single tether is 6', norm for double tether is 6' + 3') + line for two end splices (norm is 1' each) minus 6" for end fittings. (Examples: a 6' single tether requires 7.5' of line. A double tether would use 10.5' of line.)

For Webbing Tether: Desired length (norm for single tether is 6', norm for double tether is 6' + 3') + 6". (Examples: a 6' single tether requires 6.5' of webbing. A double tether would use 9.5' of webbing.)

For Elastic/Webbing Tethers: For 6' single and double elastic/webbing tethers use approx. 38" of elastic (elastic is not used in the short leg of the double tether).

For Tether Ends: Single tethers require two Wichard fittings and double tethers require three (see snap hook, snap shackle, and safety hook below).

1. Cut the appropriate length of webbing or line (see "Materials Required").

2. Sew or splice the end hooks to the webbing or line.

1. Cut the appropriate length of webbing or line (see "Materials Required").

2. Pass the webbing (line) through the chest end hook so that one leg is about 75" (81" for line) from the hook and the other is about 39" (45" for line).

3. Sew or Brummel Splice the neck area of the webbing or line just below the chest end hook.

4. Sew or splice the boat end hooks at the ends of each tether leg.

1. Cut the appropriate amount of tubular webbing and elastic.

2. Open the tubular webbing and feed the elastic into it.

3. Position the ends of the elastic 6 inches inside the webbing ends and sew the elastic to the webbing. Taping the elastic to a thin yardstick to get it positioned in the webbing makes the work easier. The webbing will be bunched up on the elastic when done properly.

4. Sew the end hooks to the webbing ends.

1. Cut the appropriate amount of tubular webbing and elastic (see "Materials Required").

2. Open the tubular webbing and feed the elastic into one end so that the end of the elastic is 69" inside the webbing. Sew the elastic to the webbing at this position. Taping the elastic to a thin yardstick to get it into position makes the work easier.

3. Bunch the webbing up on the yardstick keeping the unsewn elastic end outside of the webbing. Remove the yardstick and carefully allow the elastic to slip into the webbing by about 6 inches. Hold it tightly at this position and sew the elastic to the webbing.

4. Pass the nonelastic webbing section through the chest end hook to a position 39" from the nonelastic webbing end.

5. Sew the neck area of the webbing just below the chest end hook for a distance of ten inches.

6. Sew the boat end hooks at the ends of each tether leg.

Use V-92 thread and number 18 or larger sewing machine needles. Set the sewing machine for either zigzag or straight stitch sewing. Straight stitches should be made as long as the machine is capable and zigzag stitches should be about 3/16 inch long and wide. Sewing can be performed following any number of patterns. Just be sure to sew the webbing heavily and always lock the stitch at the beginning and end of each pass. One method that works well is to sew in a zigzag stitch pattern across the width of the webbing. This should be performed over a distance of 1 1/2 inches at both tether ends for single tether styles and at the boat connection end for double tethers. At the chest end of the double tether the webbing should be sewn together for a distance of about ten inches.

Hooks at the ends of the webbing are sewn in place by passing 6 inches of the webbing through the closed eye of the hook and then sewing the webbing down on itself.

A double tether uses a Brummel Splice at the neck of the chest end hook. To make the Brummel Splice locate a spot on the line 45  inches (assuming 6' & 3' legs) from one end and hold the line there so that the line ends hang down. Slip one line end through the closed eye of the chest end hook and position the hook at the spot just located. Using the Fid-O Awl, tuck the short line end through the long standing part just below the hook. Now tuck the long end through the short end’s standing part an inch or two away. Draw up to tighten the splice.

Eye splices are used to secure the boat end hooks to the line. An eye splice should also be used at the tether’s chest end if the tether is the single line style. Use a splicing tool and its instructions to fashion the splices.