Jib/Genny sheet question

I leave my jib sheets on. I'm sure sunlight and exposure to the elements wears them out faster than if they were stored inside, but it's a lot easier than having to re-run them every time I want to go for a short sail.

I use one line for jib sheets tied to the clew with a cow hitch, so when I want to switch sails I have to re-run the whole line. I'm thinking of switching to a shackle to tie the sheets to the sail.

I've been told that any sort of metal shackle is a no-no because if the sail is flogging it could cause injury to people or damage to the boat, so I think I'm going to teach myself to make a soft shackle.

Bruce3966 said:

I guess for my small tub I could just find the middle of the sheet and put it through the clew and then run both ends through that, cinch tight and that would probably work.

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aloof said:

I don't think that hitch is recommended. (Are we being trolled here?) With good new line it will slip. With age it will never come undone. It's other drawback is it hangs up on the shrouds exceptionally well. Oh and it's not sailorly, that's why it's called an Aussie hitch (Heh). If for some reason (??) you cannot cut the line into two sheets at least tie a bowline on a bight.

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Are we talking about the cow hitch? Cow hitch - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

That's not recommended? Doh. It's how I've been doing mine. I haven't had any problem with it slipping (old line) or hanging up, and it comes undone easily when I change headsails. Of course I'm on a small boat, so the loads aren't that great.

I suppose I could switch to a bowline on a bight, but it seems like that's a much bigger knot that would be more likely to get hung up on something.