Soft Shackles

So , recently purchased a couple of Terrafirma 9000Kg Soft shackles.

Look like good bits of kit. Will be interesting to see how they perform, using caution and in a controlled environment before getting out in a real situation.

Anyone using a set of soft shackles ? or have thoughts on them?

Cheers

Never heard of em so googled em. Suppose they should work if high enough breaking strain although not sure if I would use them.

I've used them a lot for sailing as they are gradually replacing conventional shackles. They are a fraction of the weight, safer, easier to use, more reliable and in most cases actually stronger. They work really well for attaching the Genoa to it's sheets. In a strong wind the power in that sail is enormous and the traditional bowline can become really tight and difficult to remove if you need to change sail. Soft shackles never come undone and never over-tighten. If they are replacing a shackle you don't need to worry about the pin going over the side when the deck is canted right over and you are being submerged by breaking waves every few seconds. I have seen rated strengths of up to 3000 Kg for the larger ones and there are probably bigger ones available.
It makes sense to me that they are starting to become known for off road recovery, all the benefits of steel, but with some major advantages. Ever needed a big shackle to take the load, but it was too big to fit the available attachment point and you had to go with a smaller one than you would have liked? Rarely an issue with a soft shackle.

Next time we are out, I expect you will get a chance to use them to oik me out of some predicament....

Soft shackles are a lot safer then standard metal shackles if they go flying.

Basic principle is to keep metal shackles to the minimum required

Do not use them on sharp or narrow metal edges as they might be cut through.

Use soft shackles to join straps or ropes together or learn correct method to join straps without a shackle.


Brendan

So this is what I found.

They arrived and looked like this. Felt good, robust etc. Was looking forward to using them on a punch challenge if any winching / recovery needed.

So , I did get a chance to use them , ground was very wet and slippery, not deep mud , just no traction. So Here I go I thought , get the strap around a tree and use the soft shackle to attack it to the winch hook. NIce gentle recovery on the winch, no heavy pulling.

Job jobbed all was good , I used the second one a little later when someone else was stuck in the same place.

This is how they looked at the end of the day after one recovery each.


One has stretched, feels like the ctr has pulled through, the second has gained a carbuncle.



On inspection on the first extended one I pulled on the loop end to fit it over the know when getting ready to post them and it pulled the ctr line out completely.



So , I sent them back to the seller on the bay, who sent them to Terrafirma for inspection. 10 days later I have a refund, So good service form both parties, No Idea from either party on what the issue was. From my POV it looks like the central line was not included in the knot to act as an anchor on it.

I have since purchased a set of the WINCH IT improved design Soft shackles , to see how these fare. Will give feedback on them when I get and use them.

Cheers

I too use soft shackles for sailing, there are many videos online on making your own soft shackles . With practice you can make several per hour.. Vastly cheaper than bought and then you know If it's made correctly .

neilly said:

So this is what I found.

They arrived and looked like this. Felt good, robust etc. Was looking forward to using them on a punch challenge if any winching / recovery needed.View attachment 171363

So , I did get a chance to use them , ground was very wet and slippery, not deep mud , just no traction. So Here I go I thought , get the strap around a tree and use the soft shackle to attack it to the winch hook. NIce gentle recovery on the winch, no heavy pulling.

Job jobbed all was good , I used the second one a little later when someone else was stuck in the same place.

This is how they looked at the end of the day after one recovery each.

View attachment 171365
One has stretched, feels like the ctr has pulled through, the second has gained a carbuncle.

View attachment 171366

On inspection on the first extended one I pulled on the loop end to fit it over the know when getting ready to post them and it pulled the ctr line out completely.

View attachment 171367

So , I sent them back to the seller on the bay, who sent them to Terrafirma for inspection. 10 days later I have a refund, So good service form both parties, No Idea from either party on what the issue was. From my POV it looks like the central line was not included in the knot to act as an anchor on it.

I have since purchased a set of the WINCH IT improved design Soft shackles , to see how these fare. Will give feedback on them when I get and use them.

Cheers

Click to expand...

Great feedback, will wait for your review of the "Winch It" softies.

dyneema (the rope material) is great stuff. never used them without a jacket as rubbing / friction will cause it to melt fast.

as others have said they are very easy to make. the ones you have seem to be (meant to be) stitched in place, but its very easy to simply put one end inside its self then out 2 inches along a put a stopper knot. i make these for sailing, climbing, towing etc.

NiallRussell said:

dyneema (the rope material) is great stuff. never used them without a jacket as rubbing / friction will cause it to melt fast.

as others have said they are very easy to make. the ones you have seem to be (meant to be) stitched in place, but its very easy to simply put one end inside its self then out 2 inches along a put a stopper knot. i make these for sailing, climbing, towing etc.

Click to expand...

The rope material is called dyneema?.............WOW , never knew that......thanks.....LOL.
Most are supplied without a jacket. However these ones were made, they failed.

For the cost of 11mm dyneema per metre and the time it takes to make one properly, it is a lot less hassle to buy from a known supplier.


Cheers

would a soft shackle fail in a ‘slow’ way rather than the sudden let go of a metal shackle?

flat said:

would a soft shackle fail in a ‘slow’ way rather than the sudden let go of a metal shackle?

Click to expand...

On you tube there are a few vids of them being tested.


and this one.



Cheers

neilly said:

On you tube there are a few vids of them being tested.


and this one.



Cheers

Click to expand...

That’s interesting. The soft shackles definitely let go less violently. Thabks

neilly said:

So , recently purchased a couple of Terrafirma 9000Kg Soft shackles.

Look like good bits of kit. Will be interesting to see how they perform, using caution and in a controlled environment before getting out in a real situation.

Anyone using a set of soft shackles ? or have thoughts on them?

Cheers

Click to expand...

Use em all the time on the boat. Very good, strong, rust free, and don't knacker up your paintwork.

Turboman said:

Use em all the time on the boat. Very good, strong, rust free, and don't knacker up your paintwork.

Click to expand...

Yep, shame they did not stand up to a light bit of winching.

Cheers

neilly said:

Yep, shame they did not stand up to a light bit of winching.

Cheers

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I don't winch, but can easily distort a carabiner clip if I get the rope a bit wrong on a bollard, not had any issues with the soft shackles.

Just a thought. Does your winch hook have any sharp edges or irregular metal on it, that might cut into the soft shackle.

Turboman said:

I don't winch, but can easily distort a carabiner clip if I get the rope a bit wrong on a bollard, not had any issues with the soft shackles.

Just a thought. Does your winch hook have any sharp edges or irregular metal on it, that might cut into the soft shackle.

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nope, it was connecting a hook to strap, no sharp edges. And the outer protection sleeve was fitted on the pulling points. It did not fail because it cut, it failed due to the insides getting pulled out on one and the other gained its carbuncle, as per photos above.

Cheers

neilly said:

nope, it was connecting a hook to strap, no sharp edges. And the outer protection sleeve was fitted on the pulling points. It did not fail because it cut, it failed due to the insides getting pulled out on one and the other gained its carbuncle, as per photos above.

Cheers

Click to expand...

Not good, Maybe a one off manufacturing defect? The ones I use are from Goodwinch, I got them at one of the Land Rover shows.

I find the outer protection sleeves are a bit fiddly in use, but then so are metal shackles if your hands are cold and wet.

goonarmy said:

Never heard of em so googled em. Suppose they should work if high enough breaking strain although not sure if I would use them.

Click to expand...

What I like about them is that if they do break, the rope just fires a little bit of nylon through the air, rather than the bits of a metal shackle, which can do damage.
Not had any issues with mine so far, but I am sure I will snap one in due course.

Turboman said:

Not good, Maybe a one off manufacturing defect? The ones I use are from Goodwinch, I got them at one of the Land Rover shows.

I find the outer protection sleeves are a bit fiddly in use, but then so are metal shackles if your hands are cold and wet.

Click to expand...

Have ordered these as replacements, even sent an email to ask about external protection sleeve as their old design did have the outer sleeve as well.


Cheers