Halyards - Shackles or Snap Shackles

[LONG_KEELER]

Halyards - Shackles or Snap Shackles .

Been a while since I lost a halyard up the mast but happened this week.

My personal preference are snap shackles over ordinary shackles but thinking about
those turn and twist shackles.

Are you a snap, or shackle man ? (or woman).

 

[PaulRainbow]

Snap shackles for me.

 

[Poignard]

Ordinary shackles for me

 

[Adamastor]

Tylaska or Wichard for genny and spi halyards and a key-pin shackle for the main. The pin-type snaps are lousy, because if the pull ring fails or the spring leaves for the day the sail ain't gonna stay up much. Brand W and T snaps have lever locks which are less prone to catching and IMHO they are the mutt's danglies.

 

[sarabande]

mixed user. Snaps for items needing changing frequently, e.g. spi halyard, and ordinary pin (or locking one) for e.g. main halyard which is more or less permanently reeved.

 

[johnalison]

Snap shackles for jib, spinnaker and uphaul, though I don't have a spinnaker, and a screw shackle for the main. This last came with the boat, on a wire halyard, and it works very well, being secure when tightened and with a captive screw.

 

[ghostlymoron]

I use neither. Halyard knot direct onto sail.

 

[Poignard]

I use neither. Halyard knot direct onto sail.

I've never used a halyard knot because I've been told that once it's been loaded it can become almost impossible to untie.

I guess you've not found that.

 

[ghostlymoron]

I cut the knot off each year if I can't undo it. I started using it to enable a higher hoist.

 

[Rum Run]

I cut the knot off each year if I can't undo it. I started using it to enable a higher hoist.

+1 ��
This goes for the main and also the hank-on headsail

 

[Tranona]

I've never used a halyard knot because I've been told that once it's been loaded it can become almost impossible to untie.

I guess you've not found that.

Not impossible and is recommended by Selden as it is shorter than the combination of eye splice and shackle. Particularly useful for furling mainsail halyard where space is limited.

Suggest you try it for yourself. For halyards on sails that are regularly taken on and off you can use a combination or knot and shackle which again can be useful as the knot is still shorter than an eye splice - as well as being much easier to do.

 

[Poignard]

Not impossible and is recommended by Selden as it is shorter than the combination of eye splice and shackle. Particularly useful for furling mainsail halyard where space is limited.

Suggest you try it for yourself. For halyards on sails that are regularly taken on and off you can use a combination or knot and shackle which again can be useful as the knot is still shorter than an eye splice - as well as being much easier to do.

It was a guest speaker at my club, a man from Selden, who told us about it. However, on your recommendation I will try it; but on a shackle because my sails are unbent after each cruise.

 

[Kelpie]

I've just used an anchor bend on the main for years, never really thought about it tbh!
Current boat came with a captive pin Wichard shackle on the main, and a snap on rhe foresail, have been quite happy to use these as-is.

 

[JumbleDuck]

I use these. I have just discovered that they are called "key pin shackles". Wichard make them, or at least they made mine.

 

[johnphilip]

I use these. I have just discovered that they are called "key pin shackles". Wichard make them, or at least they made mine.

These are something that are really sensible design, the bar stops you losing the whole thing and the captive pin stops the classic rattle and plop of the pin rolling off the side deck.

 

[john_morris_uk]

These are something that are really sensible design, the bar stops you losing the whole thing and the captive pin stops the classic rattle and plop of the pin rolling off the side deck.

Exactly the shackle I've always used on our main halyard.

For all the reasons already mentioned.

(And the halyard goes to the back end of the boom when we are in port to stop it slatting on the mast.)

Snap shackles on everything else.

 

[Daydream believer]

On the main I pass a loop of the halyard through the eye of the mainsail & the tail of the halyard through the loop. There is a plastic ball on the end of the halyard. This means the sail can go right to the top of the mast if needed & the halyard can be released reasonably easily

 

[LONG_KEELER]

I use these. I have just discovered that they are called "key pin shackles". Wichard make them, or at least they made mine.

I like the look of those. As mentioned, combined with a halyard knot may be the answer .

I started using those plastic toggle balls after getting a halyard mashed in the sheeves at the top of the mast. Will see how the halyard knot looks.

I like snap shackles for uphaul/downhauls whisker poles etc and particularly the tack on cruising chutes. I attach lanyards so they can be quick release.

 

[Poignard]

On the main I pass a loop of the halyard through the eye of the mainsail & the tail of the halyard through the loop. There is a plastic ball on the end of the halyard. This means the sail can go right to the top of the mast if needed & the halyard can be released reasonably easily

I like that idea; simple and effective. What do you attach the halyard to when not attached to the sail?

 

[Daydream believer]

I like that idea; simple and effective. What do you attach the halyard to when not attached to the sail?

At the end of the season the halyard is hoisted to the top of the mast on an old line & the spare at the base is bagged in black plastic bags to reduce the effects of UV
In the season the halyard is taken out to the shrouds to avoid slapping on the mast. It is long enough to remain permanently attached to the sail