shackle

What kinds of loads are being placed on mainsail headboard shackles and jib halyard shackles? I have an E30+.

Quick question... I had a serious racer buddy show me a method of attaching the main halyard without the use of a shackle by starting through the main hole in the head and weaving it around through the others and ending with a stopper knot (such as an 8). He said this was a new move in the...