Cruising chute tack question

[Boo2]

Hi,

I was reading an article on using a cruising chute (see here : www.southern.co.uk/downloads/LIBS Cruising Chute 2011.pdf) and the author prefers to use a snap shackle on the tack. He also suggests running a trip line from the snap shackle so it can be released quickly in case of need.

Is there any reason for this ? Could I not just use a bowline at the tack and release the entire tack line in case of need ? I can see the point of a snap shackle for the turning block to make it easy to attach the block to the bow roller but my intention is to keep all the lines and the block in the same bag as the chute so don't really need the tack strop to be readily detachable.

Any comments ? What do you do ?

Thanks,

Boo2

 

[stranded]

We use a snap shackle and trip not only for a quick release but also because we routinely drop the chute by blowing the tack and hauling in the sheet. Having the tack line flying around would be just an additional tangle concern and I guess the weight of the line could be the difference between a dry or a wet drop in light air.

 

[sailorman]

snapshackle & the pennant led back to the cockpit for quick n easy adjustment.
see avatar singlehanded @ the time

 

[Plevier]

We use a snap shackle and trip not only for a quick release but also because we routinely drop the chute by blowing the tack and hauling in the sheet. Having the tack line flying around would be just an additional tangle concern and I guess the weight of the line could be the difference between a dry or a wet drop in light air.

+1

 

[MoodySabre]

I have a snapshackle on the tack of mine too - one of the type that can be released under load. I use a snuffer but it makes life much easier - particulaly if you left it a bit late when the wind got up (not that I'd do that of course )

 

[Boo2]

We use a snap shackle and trip not only for a quick release but also because we routinely drop the chute by blowing the tack and hauling in the sheet. Having the tack line flying around would be just an additional tangle concern and I guess the weight of the line could be the difference between a dry or a wet drop in light air.

+1

snapshackle & the pennant led back to the cockpit for quick n easy adjustment.
see avatar singlehanded @ the time

I have a snapshackle on the tack of mine too - one of the type that can be released under load. I use a snuffer but it makes life much easier - particulaly if you left it a bit late when the wind got up (not that I'd do that of course )

I will be single handing so I think I will forego the snapshackle. I will need to gather the chuts in under the boom and won't want to have to run back from the bows after blowing the tack using the shackle. I also don't want to run a line from the shackle release pin back to the cockpit alongside the tack line as it's bound to get tangled up or accidentally tripped and I don't have a spare organiser / clutch to keep it tidy.

I guess I will find out how well just releasing the tack line works, hopefully nothing worse than a wet sail will go wrong

As a slight thread drift, can anyone tell me how much force I can expect on the tack line on a 34 foot yacht ? I suppose in theory it will be around the same as that on the sheet, or am I missing something ?

Boo2

 

[bbg]

Boo, I was sailing a different kind of boat, but we worked on the principle that the load on the tack would be the same as the weight of the boat. That might not apply for your boat.

To drop, bear away, hoist the jib, blow the tack, blow the halyard, gather into cockpit under the boom. Easy peasy. To blow the halyard singlehanded, stream it off the stern with one wrap around the halyard winch for a bit of friction.

It may not look it, but the drop at 2:10 is in over 20 knots, gusting over 25.



I would go for a shackle on the tack line, if only to make it easier to hook up / unhook. And reduce the chance of pulling the tack line through the block, once you have undone the bowline.

 

[Spirit of Glenans]

IMHO, a chute is a big genoa, and hank-on headsails are normally tacked on using a snapshackle, so I would favour that. Also, you can open a snapshackle under load, which is not possible with a bowline (theoretically ).