Mousing a shackle

[mikehibb]

What to use?

Wire, if so which type, or is a cable tie Ok to use.

This is for an anchor shackle.

(please do not turn this in to an anchor discussion, I have not been here long but am well aware about anchor posts)

As always, thanks in advance.

 

[Searush]

Cable ties are fine, just keep an eye on it when you use it. Galvanised garden wire is cheap & good (matches anchor & chain usually) but, DO NOT USE COPPER!!!!

 

[mikehibb]

Thanks Searush,

I was thinking of using cable ties, but was worried if they degrade in salt water.

I am an electrical engineer by trade and know that you can get some high spec cable ties UV and chemical stable, but have found in 20 years of experience that they never live up to the manufacturers claims.

Thinking more about it, it only takes a minute to snip off an old one and put on a new one, after all as you say, "keep an eye on it" which is what we should all be doing on our regular checks of all the gear on board.

cheers

Mike

 

[pau1gray]

We use them at work where we deploy equipment on the seabed sometime for up to 18 months - just bog standard cable ties last for ever, no need for fancy ones

 

[Talbot]

I used to have a lot of trouble with shackles on my pile mooring. The boat was always moving due to a somewhat exposed position, and this put a lot of movement on the shackle. I tried proper galvanised wire designed for the purpose, I tried loctite, I tried cable ties (lots of them) The best option was galvanised bolts through the pin position with loctite and a second nut as a lock nut,

 

[NickiCrutchfield]

Monel wire.

 

[lenseman]

[ QUOTE ]
I was thinking of using cable ties, but was worried if they degrade in salt water.

[/ QUOTE ]
Cable-ties, have the most unfortunate habit if ripping a hole in your hand when you least expect it in cold weather and the worst thing is that it doesn't hurt at the time, well not until you are back in the warm /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I always use a strong waxed cord slightly thicker than haberdashery sowing thread. Sailmakers or cobblers sort of thread.

As with a cable-tie, as once you have fitted it onto the shackle and trimmed the excess, you are not normally looking to remove it so a waxed cord is just as good. It's the lumpy bits on a cable tie which catch out the unweary!

 

[awol]

[ QUOTE ]
Monel wire.

[/ QUOTE ]

Absolutely the right stuff or use a hammer and upset the end of the thread or centre punch on the pin/bow interface - whatever convinces you it won't come undone.

 

[Lakesailor]

Definitely peen over the thread. The only secure method. I've had wire and cable ties fail.

Another tip is to put the shackle the right way up so that an upward jerk on the shackle will tend to tighten the pin rather than slacken it.

Hold the bow of the shackle in your right hand with the jaws facing away so that the pin passes through from the left, through the riser and into the thread on the other side of the jaw.
Worked for me.

 

[snowleopard]

I have found that cable ties on moorings soon disappear as the shackles are twisted under load and crush the plastic. Monel wire works well but as it is a very noble metal it will set up a cell and eat away your galvanising in very short order.