Been playing around with Amsteel. I'm fascinated with this stuff. You can make shackles that are stronger than steel for a fraction of the weight and cost.

This video is using Dynex Dux (pre-stretched Dyneema SK75) but you could do the same thing with regular Amsteel Blue with equal results. Dyneema SK-75 is the most resistant (of all the synthetics) to chafe and UV. It's amazingly tuff. People are even using it for sail hanks on stainless forestays with good long-term results.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH66tGsWv_Y&feature=player_embedded