England Ireland Find Havens
England Ireland Find Routes
Boat
Maintenance
Comfort
Operations
Safety
Other



Next Previous

Preventing shackles from working loose



Be the first
to comment

What is the issue?
Shackles are one of the most versatile and important pieces of equipment aboard a vessel. They are used extensively in rigging, anchoring and lifting situations. They serve as a critical and highly convenient mechanism to fasten and fit various pieces of equipment together. However, they can come loose by turning and unfastening themselves of their own accord.

Why address this?
A shackle accidentally un-fastening itself could, at best, cause an unwanted inconvenience. At worst, as in the case where it is supporting rigging or anchor attachment, an unexpected shackle failure could cause extensive equipment, vessel damage and personal injury.

How to address this?
Secure all critical shackles by looping stainless steel split rings through the eye of the pin and back through the bodies as shown below.

Shackle secured by a split ring
Photo: Michael Harpur

Stainless steel split rings offer a more effective approach than the traditional wiring or whipping fail-safes. A wired shackle typically gives a protruding sharp end or spur that can tear sails and injure crew. Whipping is subject to chafe and UV degradation.

Undo the shackle and place the split ring into the U bend
Photo: Michael Harpur

The key to using split rings is not to spread them over the body of the shackle but only around the eye of the shackles. Running a split ring over the shackle body itself will most likely damage it by spreading it too far.

The approach to follow is to:

  • • Undo the shackle you wish to secure.

  • • As above, place the split ring into the U bend of the shackle.

  • • Close shackle in the required location by hand as normal leaving the split ring inside.

  • • As below, then finish by threading the split ring through shackle pin's eye to secure it.

Working the split ring through the eye of the shackle's pin
Photo: Michael Harpur

The reverse opens the shackle and the split ring can be reused time and time again. When shackles are secured by split rings there is no need to overtighten them so they may be more easily undone in the future.

With thanks to:
Michael Harpur, Yacht Obsession.
A photograph is worth a thousand words. We are always looking for bright sunny photographs that illustrate this experience. If you have some images that we could use please upload them here. All we need to know is how you would like to be credited for your work and a brief description of the image if it is not readily apparent. If you would like us to add a hyperlink from the image that goes back to your site please include the desired link and we will be delighted to that for you.



Add your review or comment:

Please log in to leave a review of this tip.

eOceanic makes no guarantee of the validity of this information, you must read our legal page. However, we ask you to help us increase accuracy. If you spot an inaccuracy or an omission on this page please contact us and we will be delighted to rectify it. Don't forget to help us by sharing your own experience.