Is this a product in search of a problem?

[rbgarr]

For jib sheets I presume: http://tinyurl.com/2rpxzv

[JimConlin]

There's more on this product here (http://www.mauriprosailing.com/Tylaska/Tylaska-spool-shackle.htm)

[Brian Palmer]

AKA, a toggle.

[ssor]

A fid works great and can be released under load.

[JimConlin]

A fid works great and can be released under load.

I've seen these used for jib sheets. Seems to me that their virtue is that if they're on a flogging jib and hit you upside the head, you won't be knocked quite as silly. A fid wouldn't be my first choice there.

[Presuming Ed]

Halyards as well as sheets. There a people to whom a few ounces at the top of the mast matters.

[rbgarr]

Seems like one of those things that would jump out of my butterfingers and deepsix at the first opportunity!

If I could use it on the jib sheet for a whisker pole pin in the center of the 'spool' it would help, but it looks like that would twist the sail at the clew.

[Noah]

Help me, I don't know what a "Fid" is in this instance.

There isn't a perfect solution for attaching jib sheets to a boat that needs quick foresail changes. Bowlines are ok, but can get tight on small diameter ropes (and hard to open quickly) and can get caught on the shrouds, shackles can crack you in the head, etc etc. This is one solution.

[rbgarr]

Wouldn't you have to have one for each sheet? I imagine they'd get caught on the shrouds also. I don't think I could fit two splices through my clew ring. Probably have sheets that are too big for this item anyway.

[Noah]

Now many folks will have jib sheets with loops sliced into the ends. You then "Luggage tag" on a short lead that goes to the sail. This way you only have one line to attach to the sail, and it can move around the shrouds pretty easily. Many Asymmetrical Spinnakers use this type of attachment as well. Often you will strip the cover off the lead (or even the sheets) so you keep the line nice and light.

Just a note - this won't work if you sheet the sail close to the lead/turning block.

[JimConlin]

Help me, I don't know what a "Fid" is in this instance. ...

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A fid is a conical tool made of wood or bone. It is used to work with rope (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rope) and canvas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canvas) in marlinespike seamanship (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marlinespike_seamanship). A fid differs from a marlinspike (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marlinspike) in material and purpose. A marlinespike is used in working with wire rope, may be used to open shackles, and is made of metal. A fid is used to hold open knots and holes in canvas. A fid is used to open the "lays", or strands of rope, synthetic or natural, for splicing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splicing) said line.

[Noah]

Yep, so I knew what a fid was - I don't understand what SSOR was saying about a fid being easy to open under load. I though you used a fid to open the rope.

[rbgarr]

I think what he meant was to insert (and leave) a fid within a bend so that the knot would untie easily when the fid is removed.

I used a fid in that way only once: towing a long line of boats with very different size lines, one in a bridle to the corners of the towboat's stern, the towline centered and 'fidded' to the bridle at the apex (?)

Bad explanation, I know, but it kept the line centered and easy to untie after it had been dragging in the water, stretching and tightening the whole time.

[Don Kurylko]

http://www.precourt.ca/images/halyardssheets/ec_jibsheet.jpg

http://www.precourt.ca/images/serie_shackles/image_3_shackles.jpg

Here’s another example of toggle-shackles. These are more expensive but they are aluminum and not as bulky. Look like they shouldn’t be difficult to release as long as they are not under load. I’m not a fan of quick release metal shackles and prefer simple bowlines for headsail sheets, but if quick change sheets are desirable, the Precourt toggle-shackles might be a good alternative. http://www.precourt.ca/ (http://www.precourt.ca/)

[Dave R]

I've posted this before but I made my own. This one works extremely well and has never come loose except when I wanted it to. No metal to leave a mark, won't go over the side and even if it did, it would float.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v506/weekender410/Weekender/tm12.jpg