Mooring shackles

[C08]

For a trot mooring I am considering 4 of these to fit the hoop at the buoy top fore and aft. I like the idea of a lock nut aand split pin rather than wire siezing of the pin but I am unsure on this type of shackle if the shackle itself is threaded and the nut is a lock nut or if the shackle is just bored each end and the pin is only threaded for the nut, not so keen on that.
Any experiences with these.

 

[Bobc]

I use stainless shackles and put cable ties through the eyes to stop them coming loose.

 

[C08]

I use stainless shackles and put cable ties through the eyes to stop them coming loose.

I have done this in the past and sometimes had the side of a thimble wear the seizing. The mooring ring is above water so less need for stainless and looking for a budget but safe setup.

 

[andyc352]

For a trot mooring I am considering 4 of these to fit the hoop at the buoy top fore and aft. I like the idea of a lock nut aand split pin rather than wire siezing of the pin but I am unsure on this type of shackle if the shackle itself is threaded and the nut is a lock nut or if the shackle is just bored each end and the pin is only threaded for the nut, not so keen on that.
Any experiences with these.

Gael Force sell a range of 4 part shackles called SeaQure. They’re widely used in the fish farming industry. The bolt is threaded into the shackle then a nut hand tightened followed with a split pin. I’ve just fitted them to my mooring here in Portugal.

SeaQure Shackle Gael Force Marine

 

[srm]

From memory I think you will find that the shackle is bored and the pin only threaded for the nut. That is marginally stronger than having the thread load bearing within the shackle.
For shackles in critical areas such as moorings I used to go to the fishing boat suppliers and get proofed shackles, they are stamped with SWL, as the quality would be more consistent than non proofed shackles.

 

[boomerangben]

That’s a bolt type anchor shackle, or a bow shackle. the shackle itself isn’t threaded so you can put the pin in from either side. The nut does need to be backed up by a split pin or key ring type. But they can take a load that might tend to undo a normal shackle. I’ve no experience in using them for moorings but would be my go to shackle

 

[jdc]

I use them on my mooring in Scotland (supplied by GaelForce). I think them excellent.

I use a stainless split pin through the hole, but actually they have never come undone on their own accord. The quality of galvanising is very good also so they last pretty well. Although I use bow shackles, as some have pointed out here maybe a D shackle is less likely to 'capsize' and come under unfair side-loading.

 

[Neeves]

The manufacturer with the credibility is Van Beest who sell rated Green Pin shackles (Green Pin is their branding, much copied).

I'd check the branding of the shackles in your image. The image shows no marks, which may be on the reverse, but if the shackles do not have the WLL embossed onto the bow, or body, I would run as far away from them as possible.

For any application where the security of your yachts concerned its foolish to save money on shackles. A decent shackle costs peanuts.

Google 'Van Beest Green Pin shackles' you will find that Van Beest make a range of shackles, including some with a security nut. You will find their shackles readily available at any quality mooring contractor, supplier of kit in the North Sea and under their Excel range for the European lifting industry. As I mention their 'green pins' are much copied - be wary of their origin (and don't try to save money on shackles).

Your alternative is Crosby whose shackles might be available from a stockist of Gunnebo lifting components (as Crosby bought Gunnebo) but you can buy Crosby shackles from a number of UK suppliers, for example Tecni.


As an aside - we were in Hong Kong down the side street with a focus on lifting components. Outside one retail outlet was an old man with a pile of green pin shackles, a very large hammer (lump hammer) and a range of 'dies' - metal pins with a letter at the end. He was carefully embossing, it was quite impressive, Made in Belgium, on the bow of the shackle. I tried to take a picture but was hustled away by the store owner. I didn't have the courage (I can be a real wimp) to stand my ground.

Jonathan

 

[Boathook]

Boat Gear Direct have a range of shackles. As a company they specialise in mooring items, etc. I'm a happy customer.
Shackles Archives | Boat Gear Direct

 

[doug748]

Gael Force sell a range of 4 part shackles called SeaQure. They’re widely used in the fish farming industry. The bolt is threaded into the shackle then a nut hand tightened followed with a split pin. I’ve just fitted them to my mooring here in Portugal.

SeaQure Shackle Gael Force Marine

This looks like the solution to your problem CO8. I do like split pins for this sort of thing but, having said that, I think the chances of losing two shackles of any type on a trot, is very slim so you don't have too much to worry about.

Where I moor to a single shackle (on a jaw / jaw swivel) I have picked a pin that protrudes it's thread a little so I could drill a 2mm hole for a split pin. Plus I also mouse the other end with wire and a cable tie. Both of which I have known to fail in this application but never the split pin.

.

 

[Birdseye]

rust is your friend. I had years of mooring in the bristol channel to 4 anchors ( centre of an X) with ordinary galv steel shackles at each corner. The galv is extremely thin and the shackles rust pretty solid well within a year. I never ever had a single one undoo itself and had to use a 3 ft stilson and a cople of lump hammers to undo them at season end. Putting a split pin in there could easily make them impossible to undo.