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Halyard Stopper

Overview

This page presents a way to attach a halyard to a headboard using a stopper knot in the end of the halyard and securing it to the headboard using the stopper knot and a loop. Force is applied to the top of the headboard and not to the side so that the headboard is not twisted when the halyard is tightened. My thanks to Bob Schaefer for the core of this idea.

Testing

I made up a sample of line with the diamond end splice on one end and an Ashley stopper on the other. I attached a double soft shackle to the Ashley stopper and attached the diamind end splice as shown below to a large ring. I pulled until the line broke near the Ashley stopper. The diamond end splice end showed no sign of stress with the exception that the loop tightened around the diamond end splice stopper knot to the point that I cannot untie it. My conclusion is that while this is secure, it may not be possible to undo if subject to high loads. I will point out that Bob's version was a bit simpler and did not have this problem.

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 This is the stopper end splice. To tie it, fold over the line and tie a diamond knot in the two ends. One being very long but if you tie it the easy way, you only need to pass that through the knot once. Then let the folded over part disappear into the knot leaving just the diamond knot and the two ends out the bottom, one about 60 diameters and the other the rest of the halyard. Finally, bury the short end in the halyard. Don't forget to taper the bury,
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 To attache the halyard to the headboard first thread a loop in the bright through the headboard grommet.
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 Then thread the stopper loop through the loop
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 This is the tricky part. Next pull the loop through the headboard pulling the end with the stopper knot with it. This effectively transfers the loop to the opposite side of the headboard from the stopper knot
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 Finally thread the stopper knot through the loop and snug everything tight
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 Here is a view from the other side of the headboard

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