What is a Dogbone?

A dogbone is a small, lightweight, dual tapered rod, which can simply and efficiently connect two lines together. As the name suggests, its shape is comparable to that of a ‘dog bone’, where the middle section is tapered, and the two ends are proportionally wider.

 

Although the fundamental mechanics of winches have not really changed over the years, there are some innovative features and performance improvements which have appeared in more recent years. Winches are a durable piece of equipment, lasting many years, but it is important to consider if the winches on-board are right for you.

 

A winch handle is just a winch handle - right? It’s true, but when buying a new one, there are a few things you need to consider.

New for 2017, the Kohlhoff LOOP® Connectors provide a durable, strong, super-lightweight soft shackle which is perfect for splicing onto sheets or halyards. 

You have a 39 footer and are interested in using the same furling unit for both your code zero and asymmetric spinnaker. We take a look at the furling unit options and discuss the available torsional cables depending on your sailing style and budget.

What is the cost vs. benefit trade-off for running rigging options on a 25 ft sailing boat? We take a look at three running rigging specs, from budget to full performance racing, and investigate whether the increase in cost is justified by the performance benefits.

 Tylaska have an impressive reputation. Their name is synonymous with the best snap shackles on the market.

 

Upffront.com has supplied many running rigging packages for top level J70 campaigns. Find out what is currently "hot" when it comes to driving the best performance out of these exciting sports boats.

There are many core materials used in rope making (e.g. Vectran®, PBO, polypropylene, hemp, nylon etc) but the vast majority of modern ropes are based on a polyester, or increasingly, a Dyneema® core. Get a basic introduction to the benefits and weaknesses of these two primary core fibres.

If you are looking at upgrading your running rigging, before you delve into the manufacturers catalogues there are a few key terms you need to understand.