Slop in rigs

The thread in the H18 forum about bent anchor pins got me to thinking about this.

Anywhere you have a spot that a shackle connects to one of the wires you have alot of slop. Doing away with thimbles is pretty easy low on the boat, like for the shrouds, the bridles and the lower part of the forestay, all of those connections can be easily replaced with the eye connectors when the rigging is replaced. Replacing the chain plates on the shrouds with Stay Masters is pretty slick too.

So how do we get rid of the thimble connections at the mast hound? With one less shackle, the slop is greatly limited. Its that hammering when the wind is light and the rig is flopping around that probably does the most damage.

Some boats like sloppy rigs - like the 14 and 17.

I'm thinking you're addressing a problem that really isn't.

But, you can have loose shrouds with a 14/17, and still not have any metal banging together. It would almost be totally in the wire.

I've always put teflon washers on the pin of the shackle, both sides of the hound tang. You can get some pretty thick ones at your favorite hdware store, or make your own. Can't say it eliminates a LOT of movement, keeps the shackle relatively stable, and makes me feel better.

_________________
Sheet In...Max Out
www.fleet297.org
sailflatlands at gmail dot com