Snap Shackles to attach main sheet blocks?

Has anyone ever used snap shackles to attach the main sheet blocks to the boom to make it easier to attach and put away?

What do you suppose are the pros and cons to doing it this way?

Thanks!

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Chris

1980 H16
Emerald Blue Sails

Pro - they're quick and easy to use

Con - they increase block length and make the main go "block to block" earlier thus reducing mainsheet tension. This will also stop you raking the mast as far aft.

I like the snap shackle for quick release of my block from the boom when the boat is on shore. Otherwise the wind blows the mainsail around stretching out the mainsheet getting it all balled up and dragging through the sand etc.

Mast rake isn't something that I am real concerned with yet, at this point anyways.... my main concern was about the shackles accidentally opening or something like that while underway....

especially since I most want to be able to set up real quick since my H16 is trailered and I have to drive a bit to get on the water...

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Chris

1980 H16
Emerald Blue Sails

You could also use Quick pins with shackles and that would give you a lot more room to sheet.

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Bodhisatfa

Check the load rating on those snap shackles. They won't hold up to the way I sail.

cheers
Bill

I use a quick pin to attach the block to the traveler but leave the blocks on the boom attached. All I have to do is untie a figure 8 knot to pull the mainsheet from the traveler, pull the quick pin, and drop the main to put it away with the blocks and mainsheet attached to the boom and main.
I would not use snap shackles. I might use a quick pin and smooth D shackle for each block.
I would be interested in hearing better methods...
I am especially interested in how to get the main down and secured quickly and safely in a big blow. I got blown onto the rocks on a lee shore on Saturday in a violent thunderstorm after a badly executed tack (stall) while waiting for a spot on the dock. (should be a new thread...)

Keeping the blocks boom and main together can cause wear on the main, I used quick pins to remove the blocks from the main then rolled the main down to the boom not around it. Most of the time the main sheet will be wet so I kept them separate. As for taking down the main in a blow, get the bows into the wind drop the main bundle it up and wrap the main sheet around it and the hiking straps. Always drop the jib first.

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Bodhisatfa

Great discussion. Lately I have been tempted to upgrade my main sheet fittings to the boom and wasn't sure of the best method so this is very timely for me.

Given the cons of the snap shackles I'm reading I'm tempted to just leave it alone and deal with regular shackles to remove the main sheet from the boom.

I have one snap shackle and the clevis pin won't go through the attachment pin (better/more accurate term?) on the block. I was faced with drilling out the hole to accept the clevis which I won't do for obvious reasons, or trying something else. Question is, what else?

If all I'm accomplishing with snap shackles is quicker/easier de-installation of the main sheet then it doesn't seem like it's worth spending the moolah just to reduce the integrity of the rig. It doesn't take that long to remove the regular shackles and there is only an upside to continue using them. Agreed?

That said, other than snap shackles are there NO other shackle options?

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'81 H16

If it ain't a blowin', I ain't a goin'

I had used snap shackles on my old H16 and loved how fast it was to attach and de-attach the the main sheeting blocks. I did not race so I did not care so much about going block to block.

Used snap shackles that I bought from Marine Depot - about $8 each.
//www.marinepartdepot.com/shackle.html

I also run a small snap shackle to attach the jib cleat- works great.

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1980 18 foot class A Unicorn catamaran
1977 Super Sunfish (sold)
1979 Hobie (sold)
1983 Hobie 16 Hawiian Sunset (sold)
1981 Hobie 16 Tequilla Sunrise (sold)
2008 Hobie 16 (sold)
2023 Hobie 16
Founding member of the "San Dimas Yacht Club"
John

Great, nice resource, thanks!

How do you find out what the rating is on these?

And beyond that, how do you apply that rating to the boat? How much is enough, or too much, or not enough?

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'81 H16

If it ain't a blowin', I ain't a goin'