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December 28, 2016 2 min read
Shackles have been the most popular option and have been used by sailors for many years to attach blocks to their boats boats. The obvious benefit of a stainless steel metal shackle is that they are reliable and strong. It's easy to see when a shackle is wearing with dents usually forming in the metal.
Over the past few years more blocks and other applications have appeared where rope is used as an option for attaching your block to the boat.
Quite simply rope has evolved a very long way in the past 5 years, we now have dyneema ropes which are much thinner, stronger and harder wearing. Rope is also lighter than a shackle so this will help you to reduce overall weight making you faster.
Dyneema is now rated at 15 times stronger than steel wire. Quite impressive! This is why we're seeing it being used for rigging and trapeze lines on a variety of boats.
Rope is also much softer than a shackle so will reduce wear on the boat if it's left banging around during racing. A heavy shackle can create real wear on the deck of your boat.
We believe it's for two main reasons. 1) there is a lack of understanding of the advantages of using rope and 2) people are scared to move away from their trusty metal shackle.
Correct installation of your rope attached block is essential. If you don't follow the manufacturers instructions then you're going to have a few challenges and could cause real damage to your block or pulley. All Harken soft-attach blocks sold by Sailing Chandlery come with unique instructions on how best to attach your the item to your boat.
Soft-attachments require a smooth radius attachment point. Avoid anything which could cause wear of damage to the rope being used.
Here are the soft attached pulley and block products Sailing Chandlery have in stock at the time of writing this article:
The Zihk Sailing kit bag is very well-made and much more practical than my rucksack. The ordering process was slick and the delivery was fast. I’m looking forward to my next sailing trip with this product. Good price too, thank you!
Very high quality
Simple ordering
Good service arrived quickly and exactly as required. Thanks
Just as described and it arrived quickly. Thank you!
Quality product, fast delivery perfect
I recently purchased the Sprint 15 Trampoline Cover from Sailing Chandlery, and I couldn't be happier with my choice. The cover is made from high-quality PVC material that feels durable and built to last, even in harsh weather conditions.
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It’s clear that a lot of thought went into the design, making it both functional and easy to use. The vibrant blue color adds a nice touch and is easy to spot in the boat park.
Shipping was fast, and the customer service from Sailing Chandlery was top-notch. They kept me updated throughout the process and ensured a smooth transaction.
If you're looking for a reliable cover for your Sprint 15, I highly recommend this product. It's a fantastic investment to keep your boat in great shape!
The Topper rope pack arrived shortly after I ordered it. Very good service from Sailing Chandlery. I will fit it when I get home.
The sail numbers were simple to attach
Great value for money and swiftly delivered as always by Sailing Chandlery.
Very good sunglasses, I’ve just had eye surgery and was struggling with peripheral light sensitivity, these are great for that and will be terrific next season sailing.
Great to see these available again, much better quality and sensitivity than the alternatives
We have just purchased the Mersea twin Laser box trailer. Ordering the trailer, and adding the lid afterwards, was easy and straightforward with accurate lead times for its delivery. We paid for delivery to the South Coast and the trailer arrived bang on time along with other items we ordered. Fantastic customer service all round!
The trailer had its first trip this weekend, a 3hr drive on a mixture of town, country and motorway roads and it was a dream to tow - no noise save the odd rattle across potholes, easy to see in the car mirrors and very easy to connect and pull. It's also easy to manoeuvre two by just two people.
Our junior sailor was delighted by capacious box section with two access points and he was able to stow all of his kit to travel and then all covers, bags and kit whilst on the water today.
We're very pleased with the trailer - thank you Sailing Chandlery!
Good quality splicing tool, sensible price and swiftly delivered. Thank you
The mast was delivered the next day what a excellent delivery service I had the mast by 0830 I now know I can count on you, well done.
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