The FlatLink E (Expert) provides a means to eliminate the conventional winch hook and replace it with a safer and more secure screw pin or soft shackle resulting in a CLOSED SYSTEM WINCHING operation. The large pear-shaped shackle mounting hole allows for attachment to either the pin or bow end of common 3/4? screw pin shackles, soft shackles, and common OEM recovery points. Conventional winch hooks can cut and fray recovery straps and often allow strap ends to escape during momentary slack cycles of a typical winching recovery. The FlatLink E does not require splicing and is compatible with steel cables or synthetic ropes up to 3/8 inches in diameter. The cable eye is retained in the FlatLink E by a 5/8? diameter titanium double shear pin and internal snap ring. Installation takes only minutes. The FlatLink E stows neatly against either roller or hawse type fairleads. EPDM rubber guards protect alloy fairleads and are securely attached with 4 barbed tips each.