Integrated Dyneema Soft Shackle | Sailing Wisdom

[@sailingmoonshadow3169]

Another great how-to Herby! I want to attach my genoa sheets to my new sail with either bowlines or soft shackles (currently the sheet is continuous with a whipped loop in the middle and a metal snap shackle) so this has come at just the right time! Thanks.

[@richardbohlingsr3490]

Nice tutorial Herb, easy to follow the knot construction. I use the double and triple fisherman knot often. It's much more secure than tying a figure eight as a stopper knot. Most folks forget that plastic rope is slippery.

[@captainbob406]

I love soft shackles. I used them on my head sail and spinnaker sheets. Very light and if installed properly, pretty much snag free. I have found them to be very reliable as well. I have never had one fail. Cant say that about metal shackles.... The soft shackles I used incorporated the outer cover over the Dyneema in the loop. I have found it is less prone to snagging when a large sail (Lapper, Genoa, etc.crosses the mast during a tack. I have never had issues taking them off (using pull string) or putting them on. Even in racing conditions. The benefit of your soft shackle of course is that its integrated in the line itself. Saves you from having to put an eye in the end of your line to accommodate a shackle. All personal preference. ;-) Great video! Your knowledge of rigging is very impressive!

[@johnguirguis2244]

I am so grateful to come across your how to channel thanks. have a great day cheers

[@archer721]

Wow! Thanks. Time to change a lot of rigging on my boat!

[@donmonnot6156]

For my soft shackles I've been doing a hybrid between the bunny ears and single strand. I don't start burying one of the two strands until after they are long enough to open the noose enough to pass over the knot. I have then been burying one of the strands all the way to where I want to start the knot. It eliminates needing a pull string, and yet gives it a cleaner look and operation.

[@melindaherod7625]

Thank you DR knot/shackle instructor! GOD BLESS and Keep you both SAFE!

[@HandyMan657]

I love these instructional videos, thanks Herbie.

[@rhirwin10]

Very impressive tutorial. Clear directions but more importantly Herb provides the guidance on the HOW and WHY of making improvements over the soft shackle copy cat KZbinrs

[@bryanhebden8398]

Really well illustrated and super informative!

[@RJTreefeather]

Thanks Herby! Always love your splicing videos, they're very helpful! As an interesting side note, I'm quite certain that the button knot you are using is a double overhand, where the double fisherman is a bend using two double overhand knots to tie two lines together (where a single fisherman's knot uses two single overhand knots). There are a few ways to tie a double overhand and end with the same knot, but if you'd like to check it is #516 in the Ashley Book of Knots.

[@RiggingDoctor]

I have always wanted ABOK but Maddie doesn’t seem to remember it for birthdays or Christmas 🤣 On my usual soft shackles I use a double fisherman, but since I only had one tail I followed the same procedure without knowing it’s name! Thanks!

[@drwindsurf]

That is so cool. Thank you Herby 😊👍

[@philipdonegan9716]

Thank you so much for this. I really appreciate your "how-to" videos. They are so well done. You left a big long tail at the start, but nowhere did I see that tail being used - so just seemed a waste of rope. When one is doing a soft shackle where you make a knot with two ends, then you need a tail just to make the knot (although most is eventually wasted when knot is finished), but this didn't seem to be the case here. Also, one of the things stressed elsewhere is the knot needs to be rock hard for the soft shackle to be secure, but that wasn't something you highlighted, nor probably that easy with a fisherman's bend. Finally, (some time you have time!) I would be interested in seeing how to do a "standard" loop splice with a dyneema core/polyester cover. Can it be done the same as a normal double braid loop or does it have to be done differently? Thanks and take care Philip PS of course, like the rest of us your rope tools will be on a now inaccessible boat

[@kimyoung230]

Very interesting, thanks! I learned a few techniques, like the fid stepping.

[@jamesadams1064]

Another great one, Doc.

[@RiggingDoctor]

Thanks Jim!

[@oliverliddell613]

Really love it. Learned a lot about the Brummel splice. Would enjoy spending a day with you discussing knots. Asian knots are so different yet similar; it's fascinating! How many ways can you tie a bowline? And then the fishing knots!

[@RiggingDoctor]

Alex and Mandy from See The Little Things showed me a very different and fast way to tie a bowline. If you check them out, tell them that Rigging Doctor sent you 😉 Knots sure are fascinating!

[@glennj6465]

WOW 🤩 Just wow 🤩 🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@DowneastThunderCreations]

That was awesome, Herby! Learned something new (guess you CAN teach an old dog new tricks)! Thank you!

[@grahammewburn]

Thank you for a very interesting and informative video. Cheers Gray Australia

[@ontiltsailingdalehudson7170]

At first I thought why this, why not just put the sheet thru and tie a knot in the end or a bowline!! But the more I thought about it the more sense it made!! You can take it off easy and quick, and use elssware if needed, or use a shorter or longer line, you are good to go anyplace!!! A stich in time will save nine!!

[@sailorsrpblc6625]

Great Video and explanation! Thanks!!!

[@nroose]

You can unload the twist afterward too!

[@RiggingDoctor]

Once the tension is taken off

[@BlakeConnor]

Can you show how to do it with the buried tail?

[@RiggingDoctor]

That’s an excellent suggestion!

[@BlakeConnor]

@@RiggingDoctor I’ve done my own version but I’m not sure how it would go strength wise

[@JuanPerez-iu9vk]

Wow, I loved it! Thank you so much! Now, in my ignorance, I have a question: Why extract the core to make the shackle instead of using the whole rope?

[@RiggingDoctor]

It’s easier this way. Working with single braid Dyneema is really easy while working with double braid is a royal pain! By extracting the core, you turn double braid into single braid so the resulting soft shackle is easy to make.

[@billmead5052]

That's impressive!

[@jandrewkennedy]

Why did you go back 5’ and then cut off 2-3 feet of core & cover?

[@petesweitz2858]

Just saw and joined your channel today and loving it. Question on the integrated soft shackle. Wouldn’t it be the same as a sheet with an eye splice and separate soft shackle used to attach the sheet to the jib?

[@RiggingDoctor]

Yes it would, but with this setup there is no chance that the soft shackle could be lost as it is permanently attached to the end of the sheet.

[@PetervanGinneken]

One question. Why did you go on at first about needing a long piece to bury back in and the cut it off completely? Both core and mantle.

[@RiggingDoctor]

A long piece buried back into the core is the correct way, but in order to make this integrated soft shackle, you need to cut it off so it is slightly weaker than a regular eye splice with a separate soft shackles hooked on. That said, Dyneema is so incredibly strong that it will still work incredibly well in normal situations. I use these lines as the tack line to reef my hankon headsails, so they only get used when the wind is up and the luff tension is high! So far they have worked well for over 6,000 miles including one transatlantic! I just wouldn’t use them to lift a car over someone’s head 😉

[@PetervanGinneken]

@@RiggingDoctor btw what type of line should i be looking for? I see lots of different options when i go searching for dyneema.

[@DaveWarnock]

This way the soft shackle is made from exposed core. The dedicated soft shackle is made from dyneema line without a core. Do they have a difference in UV or chafe resistance?

[@RiggingDoctor]

It depends on the line. This line uses Dyneema as the core (SK-78) so it has the same chafe and UV resistance qualities as single braid material. I wouldn’t do this with a line whose core was not Dyneema; for example: VPC uses a technora core that is not UV resistant.

[@CaptMarkSVAlcina]

Hi Guys, Just wanted to know how the offer went about staying in a unit as per last video comment and not saying in the Campervan

[@RiggingDoctor]

We’re happy and warm in a lovely apartment! Planning a live video for next week as an update :)

[@CaptMarkSVAlcina]

Rigging Doctor , great

[@mthiodet]

Est-ce que je peux faire la meme chose avec une écoute polyester. L’âme est elle aussi résistante ? Merci ;)

[@airborne21n]

Can you use this method on double braid lines?

[@RiggingDoctor]

Yes indeed! If it’s got a Dyneema core you can do this.

[@graeme-sailingskeptic]

now you do this ... I just had to pay to have someone do this for me....Thanks though I can do this in the future

[@RiggingDoctor]

Oh maaaaannnnn

[@Spectre8282]

Feasibility question... Do you think it practical to replace stainless rudder quadrant cable to binnacle with Dyneema?

[@RiggingDoctor]

I do, but you will have to let it creep a while and take up all the slack before you leave the slip and go sailing. I actually carry spare Dyneema for that very purpose.

[@Spectre8282]

@@RiggingDoctor that's what I thought. Thanks!

[@MathewWilliams-j8y]

if you have an 8mm line can you use 6mm dyneema? or do both lines need to be the same diameter?

[@RiggingDoctor]

It’s all one line. If you are making a separate soft shackle, then the two sizes will be fine.

[@jamesadams1064]

Would making a very small eye splice in double braid be close to the same thing?

[@RiggingDoctor]

Yes, and then pass the soft shackle through the eye. It would also look identical to this too!

[@sonnylange3051]

Isnt there a concern with the UV protection no longer on the Dyneema?

[@RiggingDoctor]

Dyneema itself is UV resistant. As long as the rope has a Dyneema core, this will work. If the rope is not Dyneema cored, then doing this would be a huge problem! For example, our sheets are technora cored lines and technora is not UV stable; thus it would not work with those lines.

[@gianlucabusi5317]

Hi in this soft shakle the knot is on a single rope. A knot on rope reduces resistance by 50%. This line has 50% less resistance than the resistance of the rope. Am I wrong?

[@RiggingDoctor]

By resistance I assume you are referring to residual strength. Different knots reduce the strength different amounts and you are then working with a reduced working strength. The trick is to size the system to the loads it will be subjected to so that it never exceeds the safe working load. This line is used as the tack line to reef our headsail, so it sees a fair amount of strain but it is significantly stronger than the task it is required for. That said, I wouldn’t use this same line to lift a small car over someone’s head!

[@voiceofintelligence]

What kind of rope is that?

[@RiggingDoctor]

Endura Braid from New England Ropes

[@Twinspirit100]

Were would I use this !

[@RiggingDoctor]

An easy application for this is to attach your sheets to your sail. Spinnaker sheets jump to mind because you need to hook them on quickly and this makes it simple enough that anyone can do it (people helping on your boat) without messing up a knot or dropping something in the water.

[@Twinspirit100]

@@RiggingDoctor nice ,I like it for sheets gets rid of the bowline

[@klemenprezelj]

Can u recomend literature where thos knowledge comes from?

[@RiggingDoctor]

www.riggingdoctor.com 🙂

[@JimBarrows]

Where did you get your tools?

[@RiggingDoctor]

West Marine a few years back

[@jginmt]

What applications do you use a soft shackle?

[@RiggingDoctor]

I use them all over the boat, pretty much anytime you would use a metal shackle you could use a soft shackle. These are very useful for sheets because they are easy to attach to the clew with no risk of being lost overboard.

[@jginmt]

@@RiggingDoctor I would love to see pictures of how you use them... You are an artist in rigging work and also teaching.

[@RiggingDoctor]

:) I will see if I have any pictures with me. Sadly I’m in lockdown away from the boat

[@sharongladwin8781]

I am thinking the less pretty version, is pretty enough!

[@gerrys6265]

Did I miss something or did you just waste a bunch of rope by cutting off "excess on both the core and cover?

[@RiggingDoctor]

I would rather have excess and trim it off instead of being short and not having enough to finish the system.

[@gerrys6265]

@@RiggingDoctor Thanks...I bought a tape measure several decades ago and low and behold, it still works... Love your videos Thanks

[@RiggingDoctor]

Maybe I should invest in one of those 😉

[@akathesquid5794]

jeez, just do an eye splice and a soft shackle. In My Opinion... Everything on a boat needs multiple possible jobs and be easy to maintain. "Integrated" isn't a feature, it is a bug. Then you don't have to compromise the shackle strength (use a crown button for example), also you can replace the shackle if needed immediately.

[@RiggingDoctor]

Very true, but integrated also means “it can’t fall overboard”. If you have someone new helping you on the boat, this system is foolproof: no knots to tie improperly and nothing to drop & be lost in the water. Personally, I just tie a bowline in my sheets but at the same time, it’s only me or Maddie that setup the boat so it is done right every time. If we had many friends joining us and “helping” then I would consider changing our system.

[@paulgush]

Rope. It's OK, you can say rope. A control line is made of rope.

[@salimufari]

Here are some good videos on how to & Why to use the button knot vs any other variant kzbin.info/aero/PLT3L-S4Bd4KAhlSlUXMl9KqkOTvk76ju0

[@RiggingDoctor]

Thanks!

[@evansstarzinger3529]

This is a poor way to make an integrated soft shackle. First, The brummel without bury is weak - only about 50 % strength. There was a fatality in 2015 aboard a Clipper vessel caused by loading an unburied brummel, with an official MAIB report you can look up, and pro riggers have pretty much stopped using it in loaded applications since. Second the double fisherman is a poor stopper knot. It will slip under load at even an even lower load. There are a few single-line stoppers that will not slip but this is not one of them. The only reason this works for you is because you use it at such low loads. There are MUCH better ways to make integrated soft shackles than this. (Evans Starzinger)

[@RiggingDoctor]

Thanks for the concern. It’s not great but it has worked just fine for its application. I use it for the tackline of our hank on headsail while reefing. When it’s under load, it opposes the halyard for the jib so it is under a lot of strain, but since it’s significantly weaker than a buried splice, I upsized the line well above what would be necessary if the line were properly prepared. I would never lift anything overhead with this or lift a person, but when sized accordingly it worked well on our last transatlantic. It’s like sizing running rigging made out of polyester vs technora: you don’t use the same diameter of polyester as you would in technora because you size them based on their material strengths. I would love more information on these other methods. This was my own design to solve a need that I had, but I always love learning improvements to systems! 🥸

[@evansstarzinger3529]

@@RiggingDoctor Personally I think the best way to do this is to put a spliced eye on the end of the line and either whip it or cow hitch it to a full strength soft shackle. That is a high strength assembly where you can optimize the shackle to the intended application. There are several ways to make a more 'integrated' shackle which reduce the two weakness in yours. I have not tested them because they are all still weaker than eye attached to proper soft shackle approach - but kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaHYpXylnqieipI is just one of several. It's stopper knot is adequate. It still has some weakness at the lock. Generally, if you need to use a brummel without bury (because perhaps of limited length) then you should try to 'stack brummels' - so the 'normal 2 pass brummel' is only 50% strength while 8 brummels stacked is around 80% strength (and that is the theoretical limit adding more will not further increase it). Regarding single line stoppers you should look up the estar stopper. It will not slip, but it is ofc only 'knot strength' (like 50%)

[@JonMadsen70]

:)

[@ushi120]

Thx for the vid. But, sorry dude, this are the ugliest softshakles ever see! 😉 Beware people to get eye-cancer. Please next time use a diamond knot and please,please,please cut off this extra peace of dyneema after the softshakle-knot. Greetings from Germany ah

[@RiggingDoctor]

I find that the tail makes it easier to get the soft shackle knot through the loop in the dark and in bad weather. All you have to do is fish the line through the loop and work it over the knot. I focus more on “use” and less on “looks”.

[@ushi120]

@@RiggingDoctor everyone as he needs. Btw: There are supposed to be people who leave their pants open because they definitely have to pee again. I find this practical, but still don't do it. ;-)) Cheers

[@RiggingDoctor]

Well played 😎 👍