Replacing MainSheet "S" Hook w/Snap Shackle?

Has anybody done this?

I can spin it either way:

- S-hook is better because when it does shake loose, we are
in an uncontrolled situation and having the sail depowered
would be erring on the safe side.

- Snap shackle is better because, if the mainsheet becomes detached,
we are out of control (e.g. with an unfriendly lee shore) until the sheet
can be recovered and re-attached.

Thoughts?

Real-World experiences ?

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2015 AI in "Dune" - "The Grey Pig"
2017 Trailex 450 Trailer
Pre-September 2015 cradles
(anybody want to buy a slightly-used AI SpinKit?)
eMail: [email protected]

Pete, I can see no reason to replace the S hook with a snap-shackle. If the wind is thrashing the sail so badly that the S hook might be dislodged, I would be FAR happier stopping the S hook flailing around viciously, and potentially causing serious injury, by it getting tossed from the sail, than have the snap-shackle whipping around above my head, at a time when no doubt there are many other high stress things happening.

Remember that with a boomless sail, virtually the ONLY danger to your head (and your consciousness) is the fitting on the clew of the sail, so anything which can reduce the risk (ie the S hook) is a good thing IMO.

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Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker

I think you have articulated what was in the back of my mind when I wrote the OP.

Thanks.

_________________
2015 AI in "Dune" - "The Grey Pig"
2017 Trailex 450 Trailer
Pre-September 2015 cradles
(anybody want to buy a slightly-used AI SpinKit?)
eMail: [email protected]

I replaced my S hook on mine. I use it to attact my drift sock when coming in thru the surf. This lets the drift sock line not come off.

Jeez, I'd want to wear a helmet if that was flying around overhead! In the interests of your safety, can I suggest that you switch that heavy snapshackle to the drift sock line instead, and just add a simple (soft) rope loop on the clew of the mainsheet to attach it to just before beaching?

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Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker

I use what I call the power tower. I have 2 fairleads on it to keep the main line out of the heads way. I've been using it for a year now no issues yet.



https://youtu.be/luS8xus6RlA

I assume that's to keep the AI from broaching.

If so, has it been 100% effective?

_________________
2015 AI in "Dune" - "The Grey Pig"
2017 Trailex 450 Trailer
Pre-September 2015 cradles
(anybody want to buy a slightly-used AI SpinKit?)
eMail: [email protected]

Yes, this has been a learning experience. We tried for over a year trying to find ways to slow the Ti down when entering the breaker zone. After many failed attempts I got it right. The way I discovered it was by using a homemade pvc hook that I utilized to attach to oil rig platforms when fishing offshore. I told my buddy we were going to try something different this time. He would become the first human drift sock lol. As we entered the breaker zone, I told him to jump out and place the rig hook between his legs and hold on while I kept the TI face straight to land. We hooked the rig hook line to the back pad eye knowing this was at the moment was a pretty strong point. His body was enough drag force to keep the Ti from broaching. Needless to say, this has now become a must item on my TI at all times. I use a 18 inch drift sock with 25 feet of line that I attach to the main sail line on the quick release shackle.

Agree with Tony. I might be inclined to use a dyneema soft shackle.


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And how was his ground tackle?

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Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker

Well, He talks a little funny now.

One vote here in favor of the snap shackle, so long as it is not too heavy. I had a friend who let the sail luff briefly in heavy wind -- s-hook fell out, sheet promptly got stuck under rudder. He blew a half-mile out into the shipping channel before getting the sheet reattached. I don't really get the comments about s-hook detachment being a good thing, since it happens rarely and unpredictably -- you can't count on it to save you from getting bonked with the end of the sheet.

I've had my S hook detach while the sail was briefly flogging in a gust. I had to quickly stand up, catch the clew and reattach the main sheet. It's only happened once though.

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

• Trampolines
• Hobie cover
• Davis Spar Fly
• Kayakbob's Sprayskirts
• Spine Board Hakas

OK, I concede that you don't want the clew to become unattached from the mainsheet. However, I do not think anyone would disagree with improving safety by ensuring minimum weight of the connection. I appreciate that the distance from the edge of the sail to the ring is quite large, but the elegant way to mitigate this is to attach a small loop of dyeema or similar, so you can then use a SMALL snapshackle to attach the mainsheet. There are nowhere near enough forces to require such a massive snapshackle, when its use is only to cover the large distance in from the edge of the sail. Similarly, that shackle could be replaced either with a much smaller one, or, preferably, another "soft" connection using line to connect the snapshackle directly to the mainsheet block.

I have set up a similar arrangement on the head of my Hobie reacher, so I can clip in some extra line temporarily, to make raising the mast safer. Once the mast is up, I unclip the extension and clip on the halyard/backstay line. All my reacher blocks are similarly attached using dyeema.... apart from being very strong, the line keeps them from banging on the hull when not tensioned.

It is interesting that big boat yacht racers are now tending to attach blocks with "soft" links using line.

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Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker

I'm late to the game here Pete, but I tie a short loop of line to the clew and use a stainless carabiner on the sheet, rather than the stock s hook. Metal never comes in contact w the sail, and the sheet never comes loose. I can cut that loop if I need to, rather than the sheet.

Has the advantage of not stressing the clew or puncturing/tearing the sail. Later, I can clip the sheet on to many points to secure it for transport, etc.

The loop (or biner) can quickly accept a bungee outhaul, and I can use my notched paddle blade to create a downwind pole.

A simple mod, but it has benefits.

I would not suggest using a quick-connect shackle on any clew or traveling connection, they move around too much and can work themselves loose. I just had this happen to me with a full sized cat jib. Lucky for me it was in light air at the time.

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The Wind Is Your Friend...