Posted by andyb on April 05, 2008 at 10:30:37 from 86.163.42.74 user beardbiter.
In Reply to: The mousing of sisterhooks (was Rowling) posted by Andrew Craig-Bennett on April 03, 2008 at 20:08:36:
Andrew CB knows far more about this sort of thing than I so I completely believe him when he assures us that such an arrangement has been used on boats. But I am still struggling to see why one would choose to use sisterhooks on a dinghy.
First to check that we are talking about the same thing, as I understand it 'sisterhooks' refers to two hooks which can be coupled together to make a quick connection. So far, so convenient but if the two hooks are shaken about so that the slack is relieved, as in hoisting a sail under blustery conditions, they are liable to fly apart in a highly inconvenient manner. If the sisterhooks are 'moused'i.e. tied off with string or similar they will be secure but it sounds like a faff to do so. Obviously some sort of in-situ gate can be used, as in a krab or snap-link, but these cost money and require maintenance. A simple hook and eye arrangement which, if I remember correctly, is used on Coch y Bhondu, works very adequately, so why would anyone use sisterhooks? Are they cheaper than a hook and eye? Are they traditional? Or maybe that's what came to hand when building or repairing the boat.
Perhaps Andrew C-B can enlighten me.