Need a knot recommendation

[SVNeko]

My backup bridle is one long line with a shackle tied to a bight in the middle of it. I want to keep it as one line to enable its use in other situations. Currently, the shackle is secured with a cow hitch but I think this knot significantly weakens the rope. Any better suggestions?

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by SVNeko

My backup bridle is one long line with a shackle tied to a bight in the middle of it. I want to keep it as one line to enable its use in other situations. Currently, the shackle is secured with a cow hitch but I think this knot significantly weakens the rope. Any better suggestions?

Bowline on a bight:

Bowline on a Bight | How to Tie a Bowline on a Bight | Boating Knots

[SVNeko]

I thought about that but I want it to cinch tight to the shackle so it doesn't chafe as much. But this may be better anyway. I can snug it down pretty good.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by SVNeko

I thought about that but I want it to cinch tight to the shackle so it doesn't chafe as much. But this may be better anyway. I can snug it down pretty good.

You can make the bowline as tight as you want. The shackle is on a double loop so that on average chafing will be half.

[RainDog]

Try a Palomar. Maintains almost 100% of the breaking strength of the line and cinches as tight as you want.

[s/v Jedi]

Okay, I've changed my mind to the Alpine Butterfly. I use this as hoisting eye on my outboard harness: Alpine Butterfly Loop | How to tie the Alpine Butterfly Loop | Knots

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Okay, I've changed my mind to the Alpine Butterfly. I use this as hoisting eye on my outboard harness: Alpine Butterfly Loop | How to tie the Alpine Butterfly Loop | Knots

Indeed √

[thinwater]

Other than the cow hitch, the odds that you will be able to untie any of these after a good hard loading at anchor is remote.

I might recomend a tight siezing, if the bridle angle is quite narrow.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Other than the cow hitch, the odds that you will be able to untie any of these after a good hard loading at anchor is remote.

I might recomend a tight siezing, if the bridle angle is quite narrow.

That's the nice thing about the alpine butterfly: it will untie because once the shackle is off you can fold it over itself.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

That's the nice thing about the alpine butterfly: it will untie because once the shackle is off you can fold it over itself.

Indeed.
Since the alpine butterfly has three points of tension within the knot, it’s very strong and doesn’t jam (so it’s easy to undo even after being severely tightened).
However, all knots become more difficult to untie, when wet.

[David M]

If you are looking for better strength then make it using some eye splices. Knots weaken the breaking strength of a line. Splices are not perfect either, but the weakening of the line is much less.