New and improved double soft shackle

[allene]

This version double soft shackle is stronger, easier to make, and easier to use than previous versions. It also does not constrict the sheets. What is not to like?

The idea of the double soft shackle is that you can fasten it to the sheets ahead of time and then very quickly attach it to the clew ring. I have used them for sheets and for tack lines when I wanted a way to connect a line fast under race conditions. You can see in the second photo below that the large loop can be quickly put over the stopper knot where the slightest sheet load will close the loop securing the shackle.







The center knots are basically a double bowline and a tripple fisherman's knot. The stoppers are diamond knots. I tried many variations of the center knots, each variation being stronger than the previous.

My estimated breaking force for my 7/64 test version was 1,900 pounds based on the stretch of the 7/16 XLS line that went around the winch with a weight pulling on the winch handle. Sorry I am not more calibrated that that. The line is rated at 1,600 pounds but I had a test section of line in the setup and it did not break so the shackle is not as strong as the line it is made of.

I wrote up my work including instructions on how to make it on my web site http://L-36.com/soft_shackle_8.php

Allen