Soft Shackles--Where Have You Found Them Useful?
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 6:56 pm
PS ran a piece on main halyard shackles that declared soft shackles unproven. I found that amusing, since the started on square riggers and are used on Vendee Globe boats. So I was asked to do a follow-up piece on real-world experince.
I started using simpler versions decades ago to secure tarps, sails, and stuff; they have the priceless advantages of being safe against gelcoat and sails. More recently I began using Amsteel versions on the genoa clew, when I switched to inside/outside leads (which was a great success to windward); they are strong, releaseable, and won't dent either the mast or scalp. Again, priceless. And yet both are practically free if you tie your own, which is simple enough and ensures they are custom sized. Also, you can tie hibreds that are easier to use than any comercial version.
Pendants and main clew straps are good applications.
For most things I am happy with steel, carabiners, or knots.
So, got any interesting applications?
I started using simpler versions decades ago to secure tarps, sails, and stuff; they have the priceless advantages of being safe against gelcoat and sails. More recently I began using Amsteel versions on the genoa clew, when I switched to inside/outside leads (which was a great success to windward); they are strong, releaseable, and won't dent either the mast or scalp. Again, priceless. And yet both are practically free if you tie your own, which is simple enough and ensures they are custom sized. Also, you can tie hibreds that are easier to use than any comercial version.
Pendants and main clew straps are good applications.
For most things I am happy with steel, carabiners, or knots.
So, got any interesting applications?