"Jeff" wrote in message
. ..
* Scotty wrote, On 3/1/2007 6:34 PM:
Jeff, something happened to my shackle a few years back,
can't recall at the moment, but I simply tied the
halyard to
the headboard. You see any problem with that?


I tied on halyards for many years before I learned that
some folks had
these new fangled gadgets called shackles. However, a
shackle is
easier, and a bit more fool-proof, assuming its all
"captured." It
takes less discipline to double check a shackle than a
knot. Not the
either is too hard, but its a "percentage game" -
something you do 50
times a year you're bound to get sloppy about sometime.
The stunsail
tackbend can be a pain to untie, though its never
impossible. And,
you can't trust anyone else to know it.

My answer to the "lost shackle" problem is that your parts
bag should
carry a few extra shackles - at least one nice one for
halyards, plus
a few for chain and other gear.

I do carry several spare shackles ,now, but at the time this
happened it was a 'quick fix' and go sailing. Then I just
couldn't figure out the advantage of a knot trough a shackle
through the headboard. You say a shackle is easier...for
what? My halyard stays on all season.
I looked up the buntline hitch. I'll try that this year.

Scotty