Thinking through a rigging problem...

I'd be dishonest if I were to say I don't like Wichard products, but here in the US of A it is somewhat pricier than it could be and often no better than lesser priced competitors. On the other hand, when Wichard comes out with a new product I often take note as more often than not they come up with solid ideas...

Wichard's new MX shackle incorporates a dumb sheave into the mix and at first glance it certainly is a winner as a bombproof means of getting a little extra purchase into a main halyard or running backstay in a less is more sort of thing... Kinda cool, huh?

Well, actually when you take a look at the pricing, the kind of cool sort of pales real quick when confronted with its price point of $80 for 10mm(3/8") line... Fact is a simple shackle and a real block (as opposed to a dumb sheave with its much higher friction) would be cheaper...

So what would Mr Cheapseats do?

or...

Being lazy, I'd more than likely simply go with a real block and a soft shackle but since we have been sorting out the rigging for the new rig on "So It Goes", the appeal of dumb sheaves is not lost on me, especially when mixed with Dynex Dux or other synthetic rigging material. All of a sudden a simple round high-strength thimble with the addition of a little rope in the form of a Dynex shackle or tail becomes a static block, part of a cascade or whatever you want it to be... Now, how cool is that?

Both Precourt and Colligo do round thimbles and enhanced thimbles for various rigging purposes (as well as providing all manner of Dynex and rigging goodness) and using synthetics can trim some serious weight over something like the Wichard MX at a fraction of the cost providing you do your own splicing... No unpleasant bending involved!



Listening to Mr Apollo by The Bonzo Dog Band

So it goes...