A knot question

[puddinlegs]

bowline is easy to tie and break quickly. J-lock type shackles are nice, but pricey.

Tylaska Marine Hardware - Mystic, CT

Yes, getting hit by one hurts, and they can ding the mast when tacking.

Going up the rig, I like a climbers figure 8 a la here:

Rock Climbing Knots: Figure Eight

(top diagram)

[glmark]

Maybe I just don't understand the response, but how does the snap shackle get attached to the line if not with a knot. (sorry)

[SVPrairieRose]

A tight eye splice or a whipping, but just because a product exists doesn't mean you must use it. Spray on hair, spray on cheese and shackles on jib sheets.

[puddinlegs]

Originally Posted by SVPrairieRose

A tight eye splice or a whipping, but just because a product exists doesn't mean you must use it. Spray on hair, spray on cheese and shackles on jib sheets.

A splice. Whipping alone won't hold much of anything.

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by RichH

If removable is important, then add a stainless locking caribiner/shackle.

I don't even want to think about hauling a shackle across on a tack, much less the clew flailing-about with a shackle on it.

No! Absolutely not!

Originally Posted by RichH

For use of two jib sheets the buntline is far superior to the bowline, just add a few feet to the lines as you'll need to cut off a buntline.

That could get kinda spendy, even with plain ol' Sta Set, doing that once-per-time out, or especially if you're racing and have a changeable head sail system

Originally Posted by MarkofSeaLife

In the 'old days' prior to furling genoas a sailor would forever be switching headsails: Genoa No1, 2 and 3, Jib, Storm Jib. So you had to whip the sheets off fast, and on fast!

The "old days" are still with us, tho it's mostly only racers that do that, these days .

What we have currently is a Tuff Luff system. What I'd like to have on Abracadabra, some day, is the Harken Mk. IV system, which allows one to easily switch between furler and racing foil systems

Jim

[Zanshin]

I like the idea of making an eye splice on the genoa sheet, then using a modern Dyneema/Spectra soft shackle to attach it to the sail. I've made up the soft shackles already (they are very easy to make yourself, hold incredible loads, and are neither heavy nor as hard as a steel shackle) but need to wait for the right time to splice the sheets - which means when I replace them as splicing used double-braid is very difficult.

[Boasun]

Originally Posted by puddinlegs

A splice. Whipping alone won't hold much of anything.

Actually a Seizing is almost as strong as a sweging or a splice.
To seize two lines together is an time honor method of making an eye or finishing off a bitter end to the standing part of a line.

But it takes skill that the average sailboater don't have. It requires either an old time rigger or Boatswain to apply one where it is needed.

I've made and used the seizings many times where a knot, hitch or splice just wouldn't just look right or just won't do. Don't worry the seizing held.
It is an art under some situations you may need to use up to four or more seizings. Usually on stays & shrouds of made old school.

Oh it may look like a whipping, but I asure you it is not a whipping.

[pdqaltair]

Originally Posted by Boasun

Actually a Seizing is almost as strong as a sweging or a splice.
To seize two lines together is an time honor method of making an eye or finishing off a bitter end to the standing part of a line.

But it takes skill that the average sailboater don't have. It requires either an old time rigger or Boatswain to apply one where it is needed.

I've made and used the seizings many times where a knot, hitch or splice just wouldn't just look right or just won't do. Don't worry the seizing held.
It is an art under some situations you may need to use up to four or more seizings. Usually on stays & shrouds of made old school.

Oh it may look like a whipping, but I asure you it is not a whipping.

And splicing used double braid is not always possible.

[scotthenry]

One method I like is to use a toggle-and-becket for a changeable jib sheet. I first read about it in the old classic book "Shipshape and Bristol Fashion" (page 19 in my copy). It only works with clew eyes and not clew d-rings, was very easy to switch sails. It does rely on good seizings, though...

[CaptFoolhardy]

Originally Posted by glmark

Maybe I just don't understand the response, but how does the snap shackle get attached to the line if not with a knot. (sorry)

It does, with a very secure but difficult to untie knot such as the buntline hitch. The snap shackle makes it easy to disconnect quickly. I agree with the other posters who have pointed this out though that the potential for damage and injury far outweighs this advantage.