garymalmgren
Active member
If we are talking about the spinnaker halyard, why not use a halyard shackle?
Failsafe.
Failsafe.
A halyard shackle isn't failsafe. If it fails it fails, there is no safe aspect to the failure. It is perhaps less likely to fail that a snap shackle but it cannot fail is such a way that there is a safe outcome with the system still able to operate.If we are talking about the spinnaker halyard, why not use a halyard shackle?
Failsafe.
That looks like it's been bent by being loaded while not in line with the load?Probably because of the wrong choice.
I have been using snap shackles for our spinnaker. Crucially, also for the spinnaker head.
Last week, that shackle failed (see attached) - the forces involved bent it. The result was a rather dramatic dunking of the kite in the water, in a large swell, not too far from waves breaking over some submerged rocks (we were not in danger of "touching", but the breaking caps were scary and may have been dangerous). It took a long time to retrieve the large improvised sea anchor. Fortunately, the lines got tangled in the hydrovane rudder rather that the main rudder (or sail drive) and were relatively easy to deal with, eventually.
Some minor tears to the spinnaker caused by snagging against stanchions, on retrieval.
Luckily there were two of us, and we were able to deal with the issue.
Anyhow. Lesson learnt: use a better arrangement at the head. I am going for a halyard shackle. I was wondering if a simple bowline would also be a viable alternative (any views on this?)
Send me a couple, I'll get the lads in the club to break them.If it fails it fails, there is no safe aspect to the failure.
Show me a photo of a failed halyard shackle. Or explain how it can fail.
View attachment 178718
We use a similar one to that on our main. However I dislike the strip metal ones. All strip metal shackles on our boat were disposed of a long time ago.If it fails it fails, there is no safe aspect to the failure.
Show me a photo of a failed halyard shackle. Or explain how it can fail.
View attachment 178718
I and many other climbers used a Bowline to tie on for many years - but with 3-strand laid rope. Then 'kernmantel' or core-and-sheath rope became the norm. This is invariably smoother/less friction than 3-strand, and research in several national labs/industry testing facilities showed that Bowlines could and did slip-untied at well less than the ropes' nominal minimums.A bowline is pretty reliable, used for decades.
Jonathan
Actually a lot of climbers don't use the figure of eight because it is hard to untie after loading, unlike a bowline. Also a lot of climbers now use the Yosemite bowline, which is a re threaded version, and a stopper can be added to either version. Also, if your sport climbing, the figure of eight takes ages to re-thread, and locks solid after falls.I and many other climbers used a Bowline to tie on for many years - but with 3-strand laid rope. Then 'kernmantel' or core-and-sheath rope became the norm. This is invariably smoother/less friction than 3-strand, and research in several national labs/industry testing facilities showed that Bowlines could and did slip-untied at well less than the ropes' nominal minimums.
It was found that the Double Figure of Eight was rather more resistant to slipping than the Bowline, and its 'break strength' was markedly higher, too. ( see Marlow diagram et al )
Outdoor Pursuits Centres instructed their staff to use Double-Figure-Of-Eights, for an instructor can also see from a distance if it is properly tied, unlike the Bowline.
Yes, the Bowline has lots of uses - but is not optimum when risk to life and limb is involved.
I didn't say they were inevitable, just possible with a soft shackle in a way that they are not with a more conventional shackle. And that's still different to a spinnaker halyard, which is not held taught in the same way under use and has more opportunity to snag things.For about a month a year I sail a 33 metre ketch with soft shackles on the main, mizzen, staysail and jib never had a problem.
Probably because of the wrong choice.
I have been using snap shackles for our spinnaker. Crucially, also for the spinnaker head.
Last week, that shackle failed (see attached) - the forces involved bent it. The result was a rather dramatic dunking of the kite in the water, in a large swell, not too far from waves breaking over some submerged rocks (we were not in danger of "touching", but the breaking caps were scary and may have been dangerous). It took a long time to retrieve the large improvised sea anchor. Fortunately, the lines got tangled in the hydrovane rudder rather that the main rudder (or sail drive) and were relatively easy to deal with, eventually.
Some minor tears to the spinnaker caused by snagging against stanchions, on retrieval.
Luckily there were two of us, and we were able to deal with the issue.
Anyhow. Lesson learnt: use a better arrangement at the head. I am going for a halyard shackle. I was wondering if a simple bowline would also be a viable alternative (any views on this?)
Speed.I have always used bowlines for attaching halyards and sheets.
Why would you want to do anything else?
Your mast is too short!FWIW I use bowlines for sheets and shackles for halyards. There’s not so much room between the head of my main and the masthead sheave for a bowline.
I’ll water it and hope it grows.Your mast is too short!
I've seen a bowline fail by coming undone. It was on a mooring line with the boat tugging at the line. I always leave a long tail and some times a half hitch just to make sure.Shackle types!
Are we witnessing the birth of the new anchor type discussion??
I've never heard of a bowline failing, but it relies on being tied correctly, whereas a shackle can look correct in every way, and still fail.
Unless it's certified and inspected, with the knowledge of only ever having been used in a correct manner, as they are offshore, it's got to be deemed dodgy.
As others have stated, none of the shackles on a boat are certified as suitable for a 'man-riding' application, and 5 bowlines to tie, in preference to 5 snap shackles when rigging a chute in a race, is a no brainer to me.
Choices are hell aren't they!
Yes - just extend it a littleYour mast is too short!