Remember the Nodus Factory loadable textile carabiner? We had presented it to the readers of Bateaux.com as a sneak preview. This carabiner had a 2-step operation. The first to remove the safety, the second to release. This T-Smile carabiner continues to be offered in the Nodus catalogue, but it is completed by the T-Drop, a carabiner that releases in a single movement, without having to remove a safety.
Release with only 2 fingers
The T-Drop is some kind of pelican hook. It locks onto a sail ring, for example, and is held closed by the release ring. This profiled ring has to be pulled backwards so that the hook opens and releases the ring from the sail instantly.
18 g and 5 tons of resistance!
This hook is available in three sizes with resistances ranging from 3.3 t to 4.8 t. It is amazing to see that this glass-filled polyamide part weighing only 18g is capable of holding a load of almost 5 tons!
Compared to a stainless steel carabiner, the T-Drop is much lighter (10 times lighter!), it does not get stuck and does not fear oxidation (plastic parts), it does not damage bridges.
For all connections
It can be released under load, even with very high tension, and will be used to link two elements: halyards, spinnaker or jib sheets, spinnaker arm take-up..
The large size of the ring on the front side of the stock makes it possible to imagine different matt finishes to make opening buckles.
The T-Drop will be presented for the first time at METS (November 2017) but will have its place in the 2018 Nodus Factory catalogue. This new catalogue will be split in two: a first one called "Plug&Sail" for yachtsmen who don't want to or don't know how to sail. A second one for riggers with adaptable products.
