Anchor connector or shackle??

[bluedragon]

8mm chain going onto a Delta. No windlass. Been using a D shackle but the 10mm pin doesn't quite fit the chain link (just about goes through the centre, but slightly too large for a snug fit into the radius, where it jams under load). An 8mm S/S shackle fits perfectly, but just seems a little small for the job (no idea what load this would take). So...I was thinking about an anchor connector (fixed or swivel). Read the thread back in Feb 2007 which discussed the various types and makes (and problems of cheapie ones failing). Is it best to just stay with a D shackle, use a connector, or is there some other bit of connecting kit out there I don't know about? Thoughts?

 

[pmyatt]

Get an 8 mm Yellow Pin shackle from Jimmy Green Marine, designed for lifting tackle and comes with certificate of conformity. GBP 2.50. SWL is 0.75 tonne with a breaking strain in excess of 4 tonne. I use them all the time - have no commercial connection with JGM.

 

[damo]

Have a look at Nigel Calders books for chain/shackle combinations, breaking strains, loads etc. Working Load Limits and breaking strains are calculated differently for different materials and links, and st/st may not be as strong as other shackles of similar size - all a bit of a minefield really.

 

[DaveS]

I have a Delta on 8mm chain, and I currently use a Kong swivelling connector: the bigger sized one for 8mm or 10mm chain. It's worked fine for a number of years but, following a F9 2 years ago when the anchor buried itself very deeply, there is now a slight splay (c. 1 mm) to the jaws. While I reckon it's still OK (stand by for flak from those who disagree... ), I'm now thinking of adding a 10mm rigging toggle (see Hylas's various posts) to eliminate unfair sideways loadings.

 

[bluedragon]

Saw those on their website...good thought. I've got some 9.5mm galvanised shackles that fit, but they look like they've been manufactured and quality controlled in some thrid-rate foundry!! Varying diameter, poor pin thread, etc. I just can't bring myself to trust them (OK for the kedge maybe).

 

[bluedragon]

Thanks. I've seen the rigging toggle idea on the Spade website. Out of interest, why did you choose a connector over a shackle in the first place? What was the perceived advantage?

 

[DaveS]

My main reason for going for the connector was to get a swivel so that turns would not build up in the chain. Before getting the anchor over the bow roller it often (about 50% of times) needs turned round so that it comes in the right way up. A swivel makes this a lot easier. (There is a swivel gadget around that goes one better by using a bent shaft to automatically turn the anchor the right way up. I thought about getting one of these, but both chain and anchor are attached using screwed pins; the Kong uses fixed pins which cannot come undone. It also seemed a bit undersized, but that's maybe just predudice.)

The secondary reason for the connector is that in the secured position the shank of the anchor comes quite a way inboard, and the connector is a nice smooth shape for manoevering past the forestay connection, etc. This is my one slight hesitation about putting in a toggle, even a neat rigging one: it will increase the chance of things getting caught and/or hurting fingers.