Soft shackles

[Yngmar]

http://www.animatedknots.com/softshackleedwards/ has the best calculator, in both metric and prehistoric.

The "better" softshackle depicted there is indeed better, much easier to open close. I've also been adding a short loop of contrasting whipping twine to create an opener.

Been winching mine (other end on midships cleat) until the knot goes tock tock when hit on the table. Used them in various places on the boat - not all for load bearing jobs, many for silencing jobs, e.g. where the staysail halyard was snapshackled to a grabrail there is now the first softshackle I made - no more metal on metal contact and therefore no noise.

Replaced the one on the mainsheet car with a bigger one as it was showing early signs of chafe where it attaches to the metal U on the car.

 

[PetiteFleur]

I like it...but what stops the knotted tail coming out again, just as easily, as the cringle flaps?

My genoa sheets (one long line) were tied by an infernally tight and rope-hungry knot, when I bought the boat. I never undid it (three years) until I laundered the line last autumn...

I use a bowline tied in the centre of the long sheet BUT I add about 3 short pieces of 10mm 3 strand rope fitted in between the bits of the knot. It can be easily undone at lay up time by just cutting and dragging out the bits of rope, then the bowline undoes easily.
It does not catch on the babystay.





















...so now I'm hoping to find the least bulky way to attach it to the cringle. There's every opportunity for a bulky knot to jam somewhere...is a soft shackle the answer?

 

[Jamesuk]

Re: Soft shackles [Video]

Great video, i had been looking for something for this for some time.

I better do exercise and come back to Ankara's here in Almerimar with the fit, dynemma and patience

 

[nigelmercier]

...

Huh?