We always have used knots for the spinnaker as shackles are heavier and can get snagged. For spinnaker lines we used 5/16" Maffioli Swiftcord which is really easy on the hands and runs well through the spinnaker blocks.

Don

:: Hi Garry, Jason,
::
:: I also just made myself some spinnaker sheets to replace
:: my older sheets. I previously had relatively short
:: sheets which didn't allow for launching/dousing out of
:: the companionway.
::
:: I used the 8mm (5/16") NER Flightline and made them 2.5
:: boat lengths long which results in a lot of line in the
:: cockpit but means that we can get the kite back if we
:: let go of it.
::
:: Does the crew have specific requirements for the
:: spinnaker sheets? There are some who don't like the
:: slippery feel of the Flightline (or other polypropylene
:: covers) on their hands.
::
:: I tapered the first 10'. I had read online that tapering
:: Flightline can be a little tricky so I wanted to try a
:: short taper before going for the longer taper but the
:: Flightline is pretty light so I'm not sure if I'm going
:: to extend the taper.
::
:: We also use knots to attach the sheets to the kite for a
:: lack of alternatives. Shackles are heavy. Soft shackles
:: would be lighter. They aren't much faster than knots to
:: work with but they might slide past the headstay easier
:: than a bowline.
::
:: John
::
:: :: Hi Garry,
:: ::
:: :: So I just rebuilt a set of spin sheets myself to replace
:: :: the ones I made that were a bit short (oops). Originally
:: :: I went 3/8 warpspeed 2 at 54 ft (2 X boat length) and
:: :: tapered at 22 ft. They were a touch short on lenght and
:: :: the taper was a touch long to boot.
:: ::
:: :: The new sheets are 61-62 ft (I got the end of a spool).
:: :: I went a bit longer this time and I did an 18 ft taper.
:: :: I used alpha ropes (we have a local distributor in Hood
:: :: River) that was 9mm diameter, so just a tiny bit smaller
:: :: than the 3/8 warpspeed 2. The warpspeed 2 is a longer
:: :: lay on the core and as such you may see more of the
:: :: cover coming out of the taper splice if you don't treat
:: :: the splice with something like maxi-jacket (Polyurethane
:: :: rope coating).
:: ::
:: :: The alpha ropes was a shorter lay on the core and didn't
:: :: seem to have the same issue. I still coated with
:: :: maxi-jacket though since I already had it from some
:: :: tapered halyards I built.
:: ::
:: :: For my sheets, I just use knots at the clews for inland
:: :: racing. If I was doing any offshore racing, I would
:: :: likely consider a shackle of some sort but I would be
:: :: inclined to go with a snap shackle for safety reasons vs
:: :: a soft shackle. A personal preference but if all hell
:: :: breaks loose for some reason, I like the idea of quickly
:: :: dropping one sheet/guy.
:: ::
:: :: Anyway, that is what I set up. I am sure there will be
:: :: other opinions though as well :-).
:: ::
:: :: Jason
:: ::
:: :: :: Crew wants new spinnaker sheets. Any suggestions or
:: :: :: advice?
:: ::
:: :: :: Are boats stripping and tapering the covers? If so how
:: :: :: far do they strip?
:: ::
:: :: :: I am considering using soft shackles to attaché to the
:: :: :: clews. We currently use New England Flight Line and tie
:: :: :: to the clews.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: Appreciate any advice