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"softies" #177654
05/09/09 11:57 AM
05/09/09 11:57 AM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,921
Michigan
PTP Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel
PTP  Offline OP
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Michigan
I haven't seen a discussion of these yet, but was wondering what people's experience with them has been. They are exceedingly easy and cheap to make. they sell for 29$ but you can make them yourself for about 1.50 worth of line.
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Re: "softies" [Re: PTP] #177657
05/09/09 12:05 PM
05/09/09 12:05 PM
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Posts: 2,718
St Petersburg FL
Robi Offline
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what is it?

Re: "softies" [Re: Robi] #177658
05/09/09 12:09 PM
05/09/09 12:09 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,118
Northfield Mn
Karl_Brogger Offline
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kinky. The G.F. and I typically use just the regular gimp ball, with the leather strap. I would think that would give you a serious case of cotton mouth in a hurry. Hard to sanatize too.

Re: "softies" [Re: Karl_Brogger] #177659
05/09/09 12:16 PM
05/09/09 12:16 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,490
On the Water
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Philip
USA #1006
Re: "softies" [Re: P.M.] #177660
05/09/09 12:18 PM
05/09/09 12:18 PM
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Posts: 1,246
Orlando, FL
tback Offline
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okay, what applications would you envision using a "softie"


USA 777
Re: "softies" [Re: tback] #177661
05/09/09 12:20 PM
05/09/09 12:20 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,049
Sebring, Florida.
Timbo Offline
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Supposedly these replace metal shackles, 5000lb. breaking force but what about chafe?


Blade F16
#777
Re: "softies" [Re: tback] #177662
05/09/09 12:20 PM
05/09/09 12:20 PM
Joined: Aug 2005
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Michigan
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You could actually replace all the shackles on your boat with them. Those few ounces of SS are clearly keeping me out of first place smile
I like making things and they are easy to make and cheap.

tim... not so good with chafe really but if you keep an eye on them you would have to go through 10 or so softies to equal the price of one shackle (yes, only 12 bucks or so. I figure the hassle isn't worth it for any significant possibility of chafe.)

off the top of my head... could replace the shackle at the outhaul for the main, could make good quick tie offs for the spin bridles, jib halyard shackle, dowhaul shackle (if you use one to connect the downhaul line to the eye on the mast), even the shackles holding your mainsheet blocks to the traveler and to the clew of the main if you don't already use a quick release shackle.

Last edited by PTP; 05/09/09 12:25 PM.
Re: "softies" [Re: PTP] #177663
05/09/09 12:23 PM
05/09/09 12:23 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,490
On the Water
P.M. Offline
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here it is used as a hank


Philip
USA #1006
Re: "softies" [Re: tback] #177666
05/09/09 12:35 PM
05/09/09 12:35 PM
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5,558
Key Largo, FL & Put-in-Bay, OH...
Mary Offline
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Key Largo, FL & Put-in-Bay, OH...
Originally Posted by tback
okay, what applications would you envision using a "softie"

Bracelet or dog collar.

Re: "softies" [Re: Mary] #177668
05/09/09 12:42 PM
05/09/09 12:42 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,049
Sebring, Florida.
Timbo Offline
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Read the advertisement he posted up above.

They recommend using it on...get this, spinnaker sheets... to keep the weight down. Seems there are better ways than using one of these or a steel shackle on a spin clew.



Blade F16
#777
Re: "softies" [Re: Timbo] #177670
05/09/09 12:56 PM
05/09/09 12:56 PM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,921
Michigan
PTP Offline OP
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another possible benefit is that you can cut them if necessary.



and they float

Last edited by PTP; 05/09/09 07:27 PM.
Re: "softies" [Re: PTP] #177672
05/09/09 01:26 PM
05/09/09 01:26 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,584
+31NL
Tony_F18 Offline
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I use one attaching my jib, extremely simple to make and D12 is very light as well.
Another reason I use them is because I'm afraid a regular shackle might damage the rest of the bridle hardware.

Re: "softies" [Re: Tony_F18] #177678
05/09/09 02:41 PM
05/09/09 02:41 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,718
St Petersburg FL
Robi Offline
Carpal Tunnel
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St Petersburg FL
The capricorn uses something similar for the downhaul.

Re: "softies" [Re: PTP] #177712
05/10/09 07:33 AM
05/10/09 07:33 AM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 623
Gulf Coast
tami Offline
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Gulf Coast
Précourt's are better as far as I'm concerned. I have more trust in Erik's toggle than in the knot in a very low friction line...

I've been using the Précourt softhanks for awhile now, and besides, Erik P. is a nice guy who does good business. And is himself a Farrier trimaran guy.

Re: "softies" [Re: tami] #177716
05/10/09 08:30 AM
05/10/09 08:30 AM
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 678
Palm Beach County
TheManShed Offline
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Palm Beach County
I used line to tie off my forestay on the g-cat until I went to a roller furling jib. I loved to tie off the forestay you had the ultimate adjustment on mast bend and rig tension; you know that place between the two holes on the forward tang that you always wish you had.


Mike Shappell
www.themanshed.com
TMS-20 Builder
G-Cat 5.7 - Current Boat
NACRA 5.2 - early 70's


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