I replaced my s-hooks Posted by: rikjohnson on Sep-28-12 2:09 PM (EST)
with carabiners for that same fear. But I get used climbing carabiners cheap at the local store 'yearly swap meet'. I also add a series of half-hitcvhes to use up the remaining rope. When on the warter, my painter has carabiners at both ends, one clipped to my grab-handle, the other to wrap around a tree and clip to keep the boat where I put it.