Low budget replacement for pelican hooks?

[peterchech]

A few months ago I led my lifelines at the bow down to the deck, so they wouldn't interfere with the foresails and so I could get my genny as low as possible for light air. You can kind of see it in the (bad) picture here:



This has been one of the biggest improvements to the boat's performance so far.

However I do hank-on jibs, so I really wanted some sort of lifeline up there for sail changes, but one that could be lowered for sailing. So I rigged up some 1/8" amsteel which I led from the original location of the lifelines at the top of the bow pulpit, through the foremost stanchion (it fit fine next to the wire) and down at an angle about 3' aft of the stantion to be attached at the toerail. When in use, I shackle it to the toe rail with a soft shackle, and when sailing I release the shackle and the foreward part pulls through the stanchion till the dymeema is completely slack, not blocking any sails.

Well tight lifelines are much safer than loose ones, and I really want to get these tight when going forward. A regular shackle doesn't allow this. The tightest I can get them with a shackle is fairly loose, and is a huge PITA when the boat is bobbing around. Pelican hooks would be perfect, but I don't want to spend the money for that right now. The amsteel costed me like $5, so that's the kind of budget I'm on for this project.

Does anyone have some suggestions for getting at least some minimal hand-tension on this lifeline in a way that is easy to release when the sail change is done and I want to go back to sailing? Maybe some sort of a hitch or prussick knot on doublebraid which I could then attach to the dyneema? maybe something else?

[PorFin]

Knots can be your friend -- Google "trucker's hitch."

[sailortjk1]

Besides what Tom has stated above...
If a pelican hook is really what you want you should search around at the many salvage operations.
The Sailors Exchange in St. Augustine is one example of such...
http://www.sailors-exchange.com/

Pelican hooks of different types and sizes can usually be found there.

I love stores like this...

If your budget is cheap, you might have to do some leg work, but something like this can be found (usually) for pennies of what new would cost.
Just be careful and examine the product intensely. It is something that is keeping you on board after all.

[peterchech]

Originally Posted by sailortjk1

Besides what Tom has stated above...
If a pelican hook is really what you want you should search around at the many salvage operations.
The Sailors Exchange in St. Augustine is one example of such...
Sailors Exchange,Used Marine Consignment Store

Pelican hooks of different types and sizes can usually be found there.

I love stores like this...

If your budget is cheap, you might have to do some leg work, but something like this can be found (usually) for pennies of what new would cost.
Just be careful and examine the product intensely. It is something that is keeping you on board after all.

Know of any of those in the NYC-New Jersey area?

[sailortjk1]

Check the list in this thread...
Used parts sources

Start there, if you don't see one in your area, give Bubba2 a shout. He lives and boats out of Tarrytown. Maybe he can help.

[Lake Superior Sailor]

Go to ebay!..Dale

[miatapaul]

Originally Posted by sailortjk1

Besides what Tom has stated above...
If a pelican hook is really what you want you should search around at the many salvage operations.
The Sailors Exchange in St. Augustine is one example of such...
Sailors Exchange,Used Marine Consignment Store

Pelican hooks of different types and sizes can usually be found there.

I love stores like this...

If your budget is cheap, you might have to do some leg work, but something like this can be found (usually) for pennies of what new would cost.
Just be careful and examine the product intensely. It is something that is keeping you on board after all.

Just looking at that photo I could actually feel my wallet shrink and shake!