Flemish Coil

A Flemish coil is a flat, spiral deck coil of rope laid down in a single layer, each turn lying flush outside the last, forming a decorative disc. It is used on yachts and naval vessels to stow a line’s tail tidily on deck for appearance and to keep a gangway or quarterdeck clear. It is not a working stow: the tight flat turns trap moisture and rot natural-fiber rope and do not pay out cleanly under load, so a line ready for running is coiled in hanging loops instead.