Thinking about getting one of these for ease of rigging and de rigging. What would be a good option? Or should I even consider one of these items if at all?

Boat in question is a capricorn. I am currently using the stock HOLT 9:1 mainsheet system.

I have been using one of those for the last 8 years without any problems. I used the same one and moved it from boat to boat N20, Tiger, F18, Infusion.

Shackle of any kind is overkill, IMO. I use an S-hook through the Kevlar strap around the boom. Really quick, really easy.

John I like your recommendation. On a side note, did you get my emails? Phone calls? I havent heard back from you. If you can call me this thursday when you get a chance.

Also what is the proper name for those? Where can they be purchased?

Been covered up, bud. Call you tomorrow.

S-hook - can purchase on Rick's store or at any West Marine. Can't take credit - Kevin Rejda's idea when we raced the 6.0 100 years ago. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

DAmn! You are that old? How do you do it? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Called a Snap shackle. Locking pins can fall out of the Ronstans when the flange that retains the internal mechanism fails.

Darryn

If I were you... I would take that S-hook and close up the hook in a vice. Over time the hook slow expands, then falls off during a race! From that picture you don't have long to go.

The snap shackle in the photo you posted should work OK. We got rid of the snap shackle and just use regular shackles to prevent 2 blocking at max rake (we use the Harken 75mm bottom unit). If you are using the 57mm units or equivalent you should be able to use the snap shackles.

The S hook looks nice - but I wouldn't trust it in a distance race - especially when Jesse has bust open a can of spinach...

Chris.

It will, now! Jeez, Dazz - why'd you go and put the whammy on me?? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I do keep an eye on it, but that thing is pretty heavy stainless from Holt. I don't see that the angle has changed much across two boats and about five years' use. Now I'm going to go sacrifice a chicken to ward off the bad mojo. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

ROFL!!!

Mine was about 5 years old, and I kept and eye on it too. What I thought was that when the hook bent out to 90 degrees it would then be ready to fall off. The truth is its about 70 degree's.

twice in one race it dropped off the main (nacra 5.8 clewboard). less than a minute in the vice and it never happend again!

There is no good reason why your hook could not be parallel with the shaft section.

I have had the S hook break on my Nacra 6.0 and then moved to the Quick release Shackle in your picture and really like it. I also had the S hook bend on my Nacra 5.5uni where the loads are much lower then the Nacra 6.0. S hooks are quick and simple but I no longer trust them. They will only let go when it is honking and then it is a clust F trying to jury rig the main blocks to a flailing mainsail.

Looked like the snap shackle was smaller, and could allow the blocks more space before going block-block.

Anyone figured out a 2:1 traveler system for the 18?? It would seem that would be nice when sawing the traveler with one arm...

I'm pretty sure it's already a 2:1 traveler system. The F18 may be too much boat for you princess.

. . . to add to the statistical data, Steve "broke" his S hook on his 5.8 at this years Slip 2 Ship race. No warning, no bending, it just broke and he had been using it for years.

Tipping the scales at about 180# these days, I'm afraid I'm probably too much for the 18! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I know you're still bitter that sweetness helped me stomp you at JPOR so long ago, but you'll have your chance to try and redeem yourself at Hiram's if Ksurfer still needs a string beyatch. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Oh I don't know... Sweetness won't be on the boat to work that big scary traveler for you.

I put a Synchro 61 mm snap shackle on the top mainsheet block on my Hobie Tiger & am pleased so far. This particular shackle has no swivel, which appears to reduce the lenght by maybe 0.5 inch. The top block has a swivel, so the swivel on the snap shackle is redundant. Besides, I hear that some F18 sailors prefer to lock the swivel to prevent twisting. Synchor Block Snap Shackle - 61mm 22mm Opening Dia. 2,431lbs. SWL West Marine No. 3734415 Lewmar No. 29925040 Here's the URL for the West Marine catalog, copied from my web browser address window: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/81255/377%20710/0/Synchor/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710&Ne=0&Ntt=Synchor&Ntk=Primary%20Search&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=0&keyword=Synchor&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=2&subdeptNum=323&classNum=324

Counting on you to be there for Hiram's. In fact, broke the news to my regular crew last week. He's gonna bring his G-Cat 5.8 over for the race. Don't worry though, my 20 has a 2:1 traveler. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Man I miss smack talk... sigh..

You're the best Ding!