Soft Shackles

SOFT SHACKLES

Introduction - Second opinions / Persuasive evidence - Creating Soft shackles - Alternative uses.- For further Please ask!..

"Soft Shackles!” - No that’s not a nautical expletive.
Do you use them, or know what they are?
“Could you learn something from the slowest boat on the lake?” – (No.1 in a series?)

This could surprise many, including the prize-chasing racers.
You know about:-

Shackle
Shackles

Quicklink
Quick links
Carabiner
Carabineers

(Metal thingies used to connect bits of rigging.) But SOFT shackles?

Yes – Soft shackles are a great improvement on metal ones, and can often replace all the above.

“Who’s he kidding?” you say? - I kid you knot. When fitting a shackle, have you ever ?
Broken a fingernail -	Dropped the split-ring	R-clip, or	Clevis pin?
Most of us have.

Soft Shackles solve ALL the above!

And:-
> are lighter
> don’t damage your boat
> or hurt your head!
> you can make your own quite quickly!

8-Ton SoftShackle
A rather large soft shackle - 170mm diameter !

Not convinced? . Want other opinions? - Read on!

Soft Shackles Are a simple lightweight improvement / replacement for the ordinary metal shackle. Can be used in any situation where a conventional shackle is currently used. Offer many other possibilities. ...
	Click to enlarge

Second opinions / Persuasive evidence .
From "Sail World" . "Soft shackles are a win-win solution for multiple applications"
From West Marine . Video 1:53.
From L-37.
Want to see other uses? Scroll down to "Attach jib sheets with a soft shackle".

This DIY one has suported our
jib halyard for 3 years - Click to enlarge

Introduction - Second opinions / Persuasive evidence - Creating Soft shackles - Alternative uses.- For further Please ask!

Creating Soft Shackles.
Try out the concept with this simple DIY version - Temporary video 2:50 - (Replacement coming soon-ish)

Soft shackles with Spliced Eyes are superior.
Try this for a start - From "Animated Knots" Tying and using a soft shackle - You may need some splicing tools.
https://www.animatedknots.com/soft-shackle Text + Animated 20 Pics. - The same on YouTube . Video 2:19

Other designs of soft shackle
"Edward's type" From "Animated Knots". Text + Animated 25 Pics. Same on Youtube. Video 2:12
"Stronger" From "Animated Knots".Text + Animated 24 Pics. YouTube version. Video 1:35
"How to tie a soft shackle" Yachting Monthly. Video 9:35 with an interesting way to tighten the button knot
"A Better soft shackle" - From L36. Text + pics
"Button-Knot Soft shackle" Jeff Myers. Video 11:40.

(This section under construction - 26/2/24)

Alternative applications of the concept.

1) Attach jib sheets with a soft shackle - From Livabout
No more metal stuff. Text + pics.

Or try

2) Attach Sail Sail Clew (e.g.Jib or Main) with a soft shackle
(Seen in one of Roger Barnes' splendid videos, "Up the River")
Better pics coming soon-ish.

Introduction - Second opinions / Persuasive evidence - Creating Soft shackles - Alternative uses.- For further Please ask!

BELOW = NOT READY FOR USE.

For another purpose
https://theboatgalley.com/an-easier-way-to-splice-double-braid/ .
And another purpose https://l-36.com/y_sheet.php.

These links NOT WORKING? - Replace or delete:-
https://www.softshackle.com/How-to-use-a-soft-shackle.html. . .
http://www.balancecommunity.com/wp/slack-science/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/12/IMG_0107.jpg .
http://wpgcanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/soft-shackle-500-x-500.jpg .
Several http://www.apsltd.com/aps-advisor/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/group2.jpg . .
Soft cleat http://d19vj6yy87fjj8.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/SoftCleat.jpg .
https://www.softshackle.com/666_500_csupload_50639427.jpg?u=2203203987 . .

Use the last section of this one? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXG17Q__6aY Video 6:21.