Originally Posted by R II
Originally Posted by Russ Atkinson
Now, I tie the shackles on the halyards; no splice - now wear. So far no wear on the knots either.
What kind of knot do you use? I use an anchor hitch that is tight to the shackle, can be worked loose if necessary, has never come loose on its own and you only have to cut about 6 inches off to retie when clutch wear becomes apparent. Anchor Hitch Link


I do not use a shackle (-: The halyard is tapered so we tie it to the headboard. You tie a stopper knot on the end of the halyard - push about an 8 inch loop of the halyard through the ring in the headboard and then pass the knot end over the headboard and through the loop, then tighten the loop. No shackle needed - less weight aloft. I learned this from some J/24 guys.

David Bows
Mallorca - Hull# 397
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