As I was researching this on the web, I realized how much I really ENJOY knots, splices, lashing, etc. Mr. Ashley is now on my Christmas list
I have two reasons not to lash the blocks directly to my yard:
- I'm a cheap, and I already own blocks that can't be lashed on directly.
- With a shackle, it is much easier to remove the block from the yard and attach it to a bosun's chair or harness and go up the mast myself.
I did something that I think will hold using 1/4" polyester. Pretty much the shear lashing I proposed, with an extra hitch on one side and the tails knotted together use up the remaining rope and provide a little "insurance". I worked the turns tight levering with a rounded screwdriver. (Picture below; sorry if it is inconveniently big.)
Does it look like this will hold my sail up reliably?
Brion, is there a reason you suggest lashing with spectra or nylon? I notice that what I used (polyester) is off of the list? I believe that all three are fairly resistant to chafe and UV. I've never thought about how desirable stretch is in a lashing, and all three are very different there.