May I chime in? The halyards were supplied with regular shackles vs. the snap shackle for the very above reasons. The Schaeffer boom vang supplied for the mainsheet snap shackle was attached directly to the block, not an additional ring, so the bending was never really an issue as the one Caverun pointed out but it was the actuator pin when some use or age was on them would not catch and warned my customers about looking at that when attaching it to the mast raise pole and pad eye in the anchor well. However Jackdaw is absolutely correct about the attaching pin to the ring in a snap shackle. Just like anything, look at that hardware everytime when attaching was part of the training for all my customers.
Caverun, I look forward to meeting you some day young man. I probably met you as a child.
Jackdaw, please teach racing to all and encourage the traveler if it is long enough but a decision when trailering all the time.
I wish I could go with you sailing from time to time. Distance is an issue but you are welcome anytime to stay at my home as we have a hook to hang up your coat on which my grandmother would say.
Crazy Dave