Soft shackles have surely penetrated the mainstream sailing in recent years. They are a popular alternative to traditional metal shackles. Made from single braid Dyneema® soft shackles offer several advantages over their metal counterparts. Read our blog to understand the main benefits of switching to soft shackles, their applications and maintenance requirements.
Image credit - 11th Hour Racing/The Ocean Race
Why will your standing rigging benefit greatly from replacing the steel wire with composite fibre stays? I have been thinking of the advantages of composite rigging while following the different races and yachts challenges circumnavigating the world. With so many people chasing the dream of crossing oceans and sailing around the world, the importance of fitting your boat with the right material is paramount.
Credit - Robline
Picking out the perfect sheet can be difficult, but we're here to help! Check out the information below for some tips on what you should consider when buying.
Image Credit: Jason Ball
Choosing the correct line for your halyard doesn’t just improve performance, it’s essential for keeping your sails safe. Lose a halyard while sailing and you’ll likely have to end your race and head to the loft for repairs, so making sure you use the very best for your halyards is a worthwhile investment.
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Textile Dyneema® lifelines are an increasingly popular choice for cruising as well as racing sailboats. They offer some clear advantages and that is why premium Italian rope manufacturer, Gottifredi Maffioli, has a dedicated lifeline material called Safeline Max. In this blog we outline the key features and benefits of Dyneema® lifelines for yachts.
Having established the significant advantages of reducing rigging weight aloft (view previous blog here), next we would like to look at the composite rigging options available on the market. However, before we get to that point, we need to take a little diversion into basic material properties to provide some background context.
