Addem 94 Posted October 8, 2016 Share Posted October 8, 2016 I'd appreciate some feedback as to the reliability of snap shackles for spinnaker sheets. On our previous boat (Challenge 29) our practice for dropping the kite when reaching was to ping the guy at the pole. We know have Pork Chop, an Elliott 10.5, and with the greater loads we find the Ronstan type clip (right hand pic) won't release easily. We've had the ring strip out twice. I like the spike type clip (left hand) but we had two of them spontaneously release while the Genniker was flapping away, which is not desirable. So, question is: What is the recommendation for use on larger boats? ta Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Battleship 100 Posted October 8, 2016 Share Posted October 8, 2016 Always get the brand name clips the tylaska ones are the best, the Chinese copies will self release when you least need it. My preference is to blow the guy if running a pole and, if there is room, a quick bear away takes a lot of pressure off. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fish 0 Posted October 8, 2016 Share Posted October 8, 2016 We use a wychard clip that is basically the same as the spike clip on the left, only it doesn't need a spike. It has a weenie piece of string over a springee thing that activates the release mechanism. You still need to be able to reach the clip as with a spike. The main difference is you don't need a crewman to carry a spike around all day for the drop. We haven't had a problem with clips going when they aren't supposed to. That said, if you flog a kite for long enough, they will go, as will anything. They are night and day different from a ronstan clip. Both in performance, and in price, unfortunately. (Very expensive, but they work). Our boat is a Birdsall 37, so slightly different to the Pork Chop in overall performance, but to give you context of the size gear we run, we have a proportionally very long J, and our kite pole is 5.5 m long. The kites are the same relative size as the pole, so probably very similar sizes to the Pork Chop. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fish 0 Posted October 8, 2016 Share Posted October 8, 2016 Here is a link to th clip we use http://marine.wichard.com/fiche-A%7CWICHARD%7C2673-0202040301000000-ME.html I think the mechanism is basically the same as th spike clip. As per Willow's comment, I'd say th big difference is in named brand and cost. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Myjane 40 Posted October 8, 2016 Share Posted October 8, 2016 Quick release with pin , but tie a small lanyard so easy to release if need to in a hurry , or if your on your own it helps on the pole to reach the guy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Myjane 40 Posted October 8, 2016 Share Posted October 8, 2016 You can tie the braces on and do the endless systerm , just trip the pole , start hauling the sheet till kite is in cockpit then drop the halyard so all is in the cockpit if sailing solo or short handed Quote Link to post Share on other sites
On tilt 0 Posted October 9, 2016 Share Posted October 9, 2016 tylaska +1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Addem 94 Posted October 9, 2016 Author Share Posted October 9, 2016 Right, weak spring might have been the issue. Lesson learned. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B00B00 306 Posted October 9, 2016 Share Posted October 9, 2016 We use Tylaskas or Mini Gibb clips. Even then we always tape them on a windy day if there is likely to be some flapping as even the best clips can come undone. The tylaskas are also good for 'martin breakers' on the tack line as you can just bowline a line straight through the hole and to the bow so when you blow the tack line the clip lets go. Its by far the best and safest way to drop a gennaker, in fact its really the only way to drop a gennaker on a bigish boat in big breeze. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Addem 94 Posted October 10, 2016 Author Share Posted October 10, 2016 Thanks Josh. We have some tylaska on board and the ones that failed seem to be no name junk. My fault. But when you see the price of the real thing.... gulp Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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