Shackle rings
Am I alone in hating shackle rings? They seem to be designed to frustrate and annoy, especially on a cold wet day when fingers are less than nimble and the little blighters ping off into the grass! Is there any reason other than cost for using these and can I safely replace them with screw or captive pin shackles?
You are not the only one...
Screw shackles have a habit of undoing at vital moments, so not too good on your shrouds. For some reason the constant slight flexing can loosen them. You can always tape them up, but then you are left fighting insulation tape with cold hands instead.
There are shackles made with either a fold over bit on the end or very expensive push fit ones- take out a mortgage and visit your local chandler! It is much cheaper to keep a supply of spare rings
Screw shackles have a habit of undoing at vital moments, so not too good on your shrouds. For some reason the constant slight flexing can loosen them. You can always tape them up, but then you are left fighting insulation tape with cold hands instead.
There are shackles made with either a fold over bit on the end or very expensive push fit ones- take out a mortgage and visit your local chandler! It is much cheaper to keep a supply of spare rings
Rupert
I also find many of the shackle rings small and fiddly. I did get some which were a bigger diameter than the normal ones and they aren't quite so bad. I find that the simple split ring type rather than the key ring style are easier and once they are clipped on they are more or less in position. Sadly can't remember where they came from so I am now frustrated by forgetfulness rather than arthritis!!!!!!!!!.
I think these are the ones!!
http://www.sail-sport.com/cgi-bin/ss.cg ... id=RWR6600
http://www.sail-sport.com/cgi-bin/ss.cg ... id=RWR6600