Soft Shackles

It's nice to stay put every now and then. This weekend I decided to handle a number of chores at home and research a number of interests in the hope that when I am ready to venture out, my planning is ready and the excursions are successful.

Project 1: Soft Shackles

Start Here (you don't need the D-Splicer -- taping with a fid will do):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY--UwBrem0

Ingredients:

• 1/4" Amsteel Blue (Sampson Ropes).
• 36" Needed for my small shackle. 41.5" for larger opening.
• DutchWearGear - $1.32 on Amazon. $33 for 25ft. (Free Shipping)
• Great to attach jib sheets to clew. I've seen this on one bigger boat that I sail on where the rigger made an eye-splice at the end of two sheets and then used a single shackle to connect to the Jib.
• Soft Shackle with opener line.
• Soft Shackle including good Crown (Diamond) knot tying description.
• http://www.balancecommunity.com/slack-science/comparison-soft-shackle-methods/
• http://www.animatedknots.com/softshackle/
• http://l-36.com/soft_shackle_9.php
• West Marine sells these now for about $26/per for a variety of sizes. For that price you can buy the Amsteel Blue line to make several shackles.