"Ellen MacArthur" wrote in message
reenews.net...

Yes, I'm gonna take all the corroded brass parts out and throw them
away.
Like I told Tom I'm gonna use plastic swivel hanks instead and it'll solve
two problems at once. http://www.sailmakerssupply.com/prod_detail_list/24

Do not use those awful things. They are Ok when the sail is up and tensioned
but before you hoist and whenever you lower it you will find that the sail
will fall into folds and this will allow the hanks to turn and slip off the
wire so you will have to crawl out on the foredeck all the time to replace
them and by the time you get back to the halliard some will have come off
again...
I hav a 14' sailing dinghy with them on and am going to replace them when I
get time. They are cheap and nasty.
Use bronze snap hanks. I do not like the ones that involve bending a tang.
I use the ones with two holes that allow you to seize them on.

"Edgar" wrote
Do not use those awful things. They are Ok when the sail is up and tensioned
but before you hoist and whenever you lower it you will find that the sail
will fall into folds and this will allow the hanks to turn and slip off the
wire so you will have to crawl out on the foredeck all the time to replace
them and by the time you get back to the halliard some will have come off
again...
I hav a 14' sailing dinghy with them on and am going to replace them when I
get time. They are cheap and nasty.
Use bronze snap hanks. I do not like the ones that involve bending a tang.
I use the ones with two holes that allow you to seize them on.

Thanks, but I'm gonna try them. If they keep coming off by themselves I
can always get rid of them. One little screw hole's not gonna hurt the sail. I
can always put brass grommets and brass hanks on later if the plastic ones
don't work. But it looks like they have to be twisted 90 degrees to get them
off. And only 90 degrees one way. I think maybe yours are upside down
or something.

Cheers,
Ellen