With input from PS Tech Editor Drew Frye, Australian sailor and technical writer Jonathan Neeves deveoped a bridle plate specifically for use on his catamaran. Neeves finally settled on a version that met all his criteria for strength, quick attachment, and easy adjustment.

1. Bridle plate development : the original Frye/Neeves plate, a plate with claw incorporated, a 7075 plate home-anodized, a 7075 plate with gate, a four-snubber plate with a clumsy silicone gate. Bottom , profession-ally made 7075 plate, an untreated 7075 plate (with safety gate). An untreated Bis 80 plate with 316 two-part rings and, finally, the 2205 duplex alloy, black painted plate with 316 two-part thread rings with recess for gate.

2. To borrow from the design of modern lifting hooks a recess has been incorporated to seat and to spread to tension on the crown of the link. This was later improved with professional and skilled production.

3. Early in the project, Neeves Amorgalv-coated an industrial chain hook and added a safety lock. Industrial lift hooks also have locking devices, but they are prone to corrosion and can bend.

4. A custom-made bridle plate in 7075 alloy of aluminium and black hard anodizing compared to a ‘home made’ 7075 plate with low friction-ring inserts.

5. From left: Stainless steel twopart threaded rings, two-part aluminum rings, and standard low friction rings from Ronstan.