Soft Shackle, I don't want to make my own!

[Franziska]

I guess he could ask any of the guys saying how simple they are to make to produce some to his spec and buy them of them.

Alternatively there is surely someone on his dock or marina who could do this.

Big+ They are custom made and could have sizes and colors to mat have his deck hardware :-)

If I would be geographically closeer, I surely would love to make and sell him some :-)

www.ladyrover.com

[conachair]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

good grief, folks, he has made it clear that he does not want to make the bloody things. He wants to buy them ready made. This may not work for you, and it does not for me, but it is his choice, and he wanted some recommendations for sources.

Stop trying to change his mind and try to give him some help if you can. I can't, but would if I had useful info.

Jim

I would suggest that these days on a boat learning to make a dyneema soft shackle is like learning to tie a new knot, but probably much more useful than yet another knot.

"I want to buy a knot but not learn how to tie it"

[jbinbi]

Originally Posted by jag39

Try Ebay. I bought some from a person making them in Montana. Thought they were the best bang for the buck. I've been happy with them, though I can't locate the name, at the moment.

found him. thanks. 3 for $20. I guess if you have lots of time on your hands, make your own, but for $6 each, I will just send him a check.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by conachair

I would suggest that these days on a boat learning to make a dyneema soft shackle is like learning to tie a new knot, but probably much more useful than yet another knot.

"I want to buy a knot but not learn how to tie it"

Look, I said it (buying) didn't work for me, and I've learned to tie them myself, and quite enjoy the process. But, ya know, there are lots of folks who hire others to do all kinds of simple things on their boats... who are we to criticize them? Keeps a bunch of otherwise unemployable yard workers off the dole!

Perhaps in time the OP will change his mind and give soft shackle manufacturing a try. If not, th chap in Montana builds his cruising kitty.

Jim

[jbinbi]

Why would there be different breaking loads from the same size soft shackles.

Here is a 4mm from Marlow, breaking strength of 2k kg
Marlow Dyneema SK78 Soft Shackles

Here is a 4mm from ebay, breaking strength of 1.5k
AM-Steel 4mm Soft Shackles - 3 Pack Orange "Gorilla Loops" | eBay

There are the same discontinuities for the larger line sizes from those respective vendors.

Isn't dyneema dyneema?

[CareKnot]

Dyneema is a fiber, not an end product. Strength and creep of the fiber vary by composition. So no, it's not all the same. Dyneema products are rated by a variety of factors such as fiber classification, construction methods, treatments, coatings, weaves, cores, diameter, etc.

Not all soft shackles are the same either, for the reasons listed above. The destructive strength comparisons favor commercially made soft shackles. The price is mainly determined by the source. The dyneema product is relatively cheap from the manufacturer, but increases as you progress up the supply chain.

If I were to order soft shackles from an individual, I would make sure they were waaaay over spec. Otherwise, I would buy them off the shelf with a manufacturer warranty or learn to tie them myself. Jus' sayin'.

Originally Posted by jbinbi

Why would there be different breaking loads from the same size soft shackles.

Here is a 4mm from Marlow, breaking strength of 2k kg
Marlow Dyneema SK78 Soft Shackles

Here is a 4mm from ebay, breaking strength of 1.5k
AM-Steel 4mm Soft Shackles - 3 Pack Orange "Gorilla Loops" | eBay

There are the same discontinuities for the larger line sizes from those respective vendors.

Isn't dyneema dyneema?

[StuM]

If a soft shackle fails, it's generally at the knot. Unless they use the same manufacturing technique, they will fail under test at different loads.

It's well worth reading these:
Soft Shackle Testing Part 3
A comparison of Soft Shackle methods | Slack Science


Note the last paragraph at the first link:

"There is someone on eBay selling soft shackles with high strength ratings. He is basing his numbers on 70% of line strength from theoretical (Theoretical being strength of 400% of line strength due to the four strands sharing the load). These tests show 26% of line strength. He may be rounding down from the 70% number and I don't know what line he is using, but it is safe to say his shackles are not close to the strength he is advertising, probably not half as strong."

[thinwater]

Has anyone had a soft shackle fail, other than chafe or a sharp spot (testing does not count)? Since the wear is generally not near the knots, this is an important distinction. But perhaps when they fail they fly into the distance and we don't know.

I find myself over-sizing so I don't need to think about it and because they are easier with cold fingers.