Halyard knots

[geem]

Agreed: you don't want the mainsail and halyard semi-permanently attached, and the Selden type knot is much smaller than a bowline and totally reliable once pulled up tight. You have to cut it to undo. I tend to buy halyards a couple of metres oversize and shorten the top end slightly every couple of years - moves the wear points at masthead and clutch.

Assuming you use a furling genoa then why do you need a snap shackel? Just attach the halyard directly to the sail with a bowline. Chances are you wont touch it until the end of the season. On the mainsail we simply use a bowline direct to the sail, no snap shackle. Everytime we drop the sail we undo the bowline and attach it to the guardwire. A bowline can be tied very short. Less to go wrong. No snap shackle to fail and nothing to hit you on the head ��

 

[LittleSister]

Everytime we drop the sail we undo the bowline and attach it to the guardwire. A bowline can be tied very short.

Probably a technique more appealing in the Caribbean than if you have cold, wet hands.

 

[Spyro]

Halyard knot onto the shortest shackle which will do the job.

+1

 

[geem]

Probably a technique more appealing in the Caribbean than if you have cold, wet hands.

I am sure but cold wet bowline or cold wet metal snap shackle. Not much difference.

 

[Stemar]

I am sure but cold wet bowline or cold wet metal snap shackle. Not much difference.

I've tried both and I'd far rather undo a shackle with a captive pin than a bowline. For one thing, stroppy shackle can be persuaded with a key that has no sharp bits. Using a spike because you can't shift a knot of any kind has the risk of kebabing yourself when you're cold and tired and, as a result, clumsy.

 

[geem]

I've tried both and I'd far rather undo a shackle with a captive pin than a bowline. For one thing, stroppy shackle can be persuaded with a key that has no sharp bits. Using a spike because you can't shift a knot of any kind has the risk of kebabing yourself when you're cold and tired and, as a result, clumsy.

Interesting that you have to use a spike to undo a bowline. I dont think I have ever had a problem undoing a bowline in my life. Thats why we use a bowline��
Last year a friend of mine had a Wichard snap shackle fail on his furling genoa whilst sailing. The whole sail came down in to the sea. He now uses a bowline.

 

[coveman]

Thanks for all the replies and it certainly generated some different views. I have always used a bowline direct to the mainsail and direct to the furling genoa, but wondered if I was behind the times! It appears probably 'knot'.

 

[Stemar]

Interesting that you have to use a spike to undo a bowline. I dont think I have ever had a problem undoing a bowline in my life. Thats why we use a bowline��
Last year a friend of mine had a Wichard snap shackle fail on his furling genoa whilst sailing. The whole sail came down in to the sea. He now uses a bowline.

TBH, I'm not sure I have either, but I have a small boat where loads are relatively low. The one place I'd never use a shackle is on headsail sheets. I've had a couple of good clips round the ear from flapping genny cringles that would have done real damage if there'd been a lump of metal attached