The Power of Soft Sail Hank Technology

The non-corrosive and lightweight soft sail hank is currently being used as a replacement for the traditional stainless steel hank. Sailing yachts tend to use the sailhank as a replacement for heavy stainless steel connectors for the staysail and jib. This new technology guarantees that the carbon, Kevlar/PBO stay is uncompressed. These types of soft sail hanks are generally lighter, safer, and stronger than metal hanks. They are composed of a single braid and may be used to replace any shackle on-board. Some of the benefits of soft sail hank which make them better than the traditional stainless steel hank include:

Soft sail hanks are extremely light compared to stainless steel
The connection/installation is typically quicker and easier
It is simple to remove and never binds even after a heavy load
Its abrasion resistance is great
There is no need to worry about rust
There is no need for extra metallic toggles
It adjusts itself to the angle of the load
It is flexible; a single soft shackle can be utilized for a wide range of tasks
It reduces the amount of damage to the rigging, mast, sails, and decks

There are two main types of soft shackles: those that look like a single line with the diamond knot at one end and an eye splice at the other end and those that have the eye splice found bypassing the line through itself leaving the body of the shackle as twin lines. They are made from the same material and have the same strength features; however, the only difference is the method of manufacturing. When it comes to choosing either of the two, it depends on one's personal choice and preference. However, the two-line version is consider to be simpler to open or closeand also the blocks tend to rest more securely on those two lines as they can move about simultaneously.

Compared to the traditional stainless steel hank, the soft shackles require very little maintenance. That's because they are watertight and resistant to corrosion. If the bearing surfaces are smooth, the fiber will experience abrasion. The lifespan of the shackle, just like that of all rigging parts, is typically determined by the normal operating load as a percentage of its stated break load. A shackle operating at 25% of its break load can survive twice provided that one is working at 50% of its break load. The lifespan of the shackles also depends on maintenance. They should be inspected regularly and removed once a year for a thorough check. If the fiber appears fluffy, it should be replaced.

If you haven't considered switching to soft shackles and sail hanks, this may be a great time to do so. They are quick and easy to install and are cost-effective with high performance.