I had an opportunity to use a sheepshank: to temporarily shorten the lines
of temporary floating markers. The markers were to be placed at various
distances from the shore, measured by someone on shore with a rangefinder
and transmitted to us by radio.
The lines were too long, allowing the markers to drift too far from where
placed. It seemed that the easiest solution was to use a sheepshank to keep
the line just long enough to hold the markers in place. The test was only
going to take a couple of hours, so the tide wasn't a factor influencing the
length of the line.

"Snafu" wrote in message
...
I served in the Coast Guard and later sailed as an AB (able seaman) on
tugs.
I don't recall ever tying a sheepshank in the real world. But I did use a
sheepshank to shorten the cord on the mini-blinds at work a while back to
keep the plastic end off the floor. :^)

Snafu

"Gary Warner" wrote in message
...

Ok, so now that the restoration is done and we're actually
boating I figured I'd work on my knots, hitches, bends, etc.

Actually, for our little 22 footer with all the proper lines
already on-board I won't need many knots. I've learned
a couple of hiches for fenders and bends to join ropes
together and the bowline and bowline on a bight for loops.

Anyway, the Sheepshank has me puzzled. I'll probably
almost never need to shorten a rope, so it doen's
matter, but it's bothering me anyway.

I keep trying it using different books and web sites
for instructions and pictures. But it never seems to
hold. Sometimes when I pull on the two ends
it does hold for a while, but any slack in the line
and the next time I pull the knot just comes
apart.

So, it the Sheepshank just this overrated thing or
and I doing it wrong or what?



Hooper:
Well I'm not talkin' about hooking some poor dogfish or sandshark. I'm
talking about finding a Great White!
Quint:
Porkers! Talkin' about porkers! Mr. Hooper. Just tie me a sheep shank.
Hooper:
I haven't had to pass basic seamanship in a long time. You didn't say
how
short you wanted it. How's that?!