Soft shackle ok between metal fittings?

[dgadee]

I'm not really sure where soft shackles can't be used. I have a boom brake which I want to fix onto the boom fitting at the top of a selden kicker rod. I need to have two or three inches added between the book brake and the boom fitting so that the two don't contact. Can I use a soft shackle here? Will it wear away with chafe is my concern?

I can obviously use an extra metal shackle but just wondered about soft shackle technology instead.

 

[Joker]

Use two - one to take the load, one for back up.

 

[ghostlymoron]

Soft shackles are supposed to be stronger than steel so why would you need a duplicate?

 

[Elemental]

As long as they're made of the right stuff I see no reason not to use soft shackles. I've made some (http://l-36.com/soft_shackles.php) from 3mm and 5mm dynema. Both types have been in constant use for two or more years in eyes, connected to the toe-rail, head/tack of genoa, mainsheet/boom attachment and none had showed any signs of wear when I inspected them during the winter refit. How other materials would cope with abrasion I can't say, but I have no qualms using the ones I have.

 

[vyv_cox]

Dyneema has good chafe resistance and will be OK as a substitute for metal shackles in most applications. Obviously better if the metal it is attached to does not have sharp edges. People are using them for attaching anchor chain snubbers, for example, where they do very well.

 

[dgadee]

Thanks all. There are no sharp edges so a soft shackle it will be. Should be more elegant than a string of stainless shackles.