Need to Tie a Soft Shackle into an Existing Line? Try This!

In this video we explain how to tie a soft shackle into an existing line with a double overhand stopper knot and load test the results. You can also use a figure of eight climbers knot instead.
Samson website for Amsteel:
www.samsonrope.com/mooring/am...
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#howto #tie #softshackle #existing #line #overhand #figure8 #figureeight #knot #sailing #howtosail #learntosail #sailingtips

[@gabikit]

That is great! This really simplified my topping lift connection on dual spinnaker pole setup. Thanks!

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks - that's a great application for this particular technique!

[@edsinofsky]

very cool. Will use on my F24

[@SailingTipsCa]

Do it! We use it for spinnaker sheets on our F-82R!

[@Gonesailn]

Thanks for the video. A little off topic, my dynema spin halyard just split apart. What size line and type do you use on yours. I have an F28R.

[@SailingTipsCa]

My current spin halyard is 5/16” / 8mm Warpspeed II which has a 3/16 HMPE core. I think my F-82R spinnaker is a similar size to yours but my boat is a bit lighter. Still that should be strong enough or you could upsize to 3/8” / 9mm. Does this help?

[@Gonesailn]

Yes it does. I'm leaning to a 3/8ths this time. My old 5/16 spin dynema halyard would slip in the jammer sometimes. Either replace the jammer and get a new 5/16 line or hope the 3/8ths doesn't slip. I can't believe with 8100 lb tensile strength the line parted 8 feet down inside the mast. It was light airs too. Not sure how old it was, bought the boat 6 years ago. Made in 1999. Thanks for replying.

[@SailingTipsCa]

@@Gonesailn I think there must have been something else wrong with your line (e.g. age, chafe) to cause it to fail in those conditions! In any case 3/8 should hold better in the clutch, although new lines are quite slippery so you may want to wash it in soapy water to ensure there isn’t any manufacturing reside remaining that could cause slippage.

[@billgleeson1059]

A barrel knot makes a nice handle for releasing the shackle.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Yes, and putting a little piece of whipping twine around the noose also helps open it!

[@billgleeson1059]

I think your soft shackle at the end of the line will be stronger if you put the running end through the line . As you follow the running end into the soft shackle it makes a turn at full diameter before it is split for the loop. The split side carries half the load because the knot carries the other half of the load.

[@SailingTipsCa]

If I get a chance I'll test this and the reverse!

[@billgleeson1059]

@@SailingTipsCa Another thing to try is burry 4 inches of the bitter end back into the shackle and tie a figure eight in the double thick line. The larger dimeter of the male part of the shackle makes a larger radius for the female loop..

[@billgleeson1059]

I burried a few fids back from the bitter end and tapered the end. The whole shackle is double thick and probably quite strong.

[@SailingTipsCa]

That’s a great idea - thanks for the suggestion!!!

[@ourtechwriter]

Interesting to a kansas landlubber!

[@SailingTipsCa]

Hahaha - soft shackles are super useful even if there’s no ocean around!

[@turk_dogan]

👍👍🙂

[@SailingTipsCa]

Glad you liked it!

[@nosreda]

What does the ratio mean when someone says "2:1 halyard"?

[@SailingTipsCa]

It means the halyard goes over a sheave (pulley) at the top of the mast, down through a low friction ring attached to the head of the sail, and back up to terminate at the masthead. So in order to raise a sail 10m you have to pull 20m of halyard but with half the effort.

[@garthharrington9683]

How ‘bout how to tie a truckers knot for sailors?

[@SailingTipsCa]

Yes that’s the next knot video on the list!!!

[@glennj6465]

👍🏻😂😂😂😂😂 🐻