Shackles, turnbuckles, rigging gear etc.

coopec

coopec

N/A
Joined
23 Nov 2013
Messages
5,211
Visit site
In the near future I hope to launch my yacht and get the riggers in to mount the masts etc. I have all the standing rigging, winches, rope jammers etc but now I'm thinking of turnbuckles for life-lines, shackles etc.

I buy a lot of gear on eBay but I'm wondering if I should trust Chinese shackles? It is not a racing boat so I could easily go oversize for safety. They would be a fraction of the price of those sold in Australia (and are probably identical gear)

Do you think that is false economy?
 
This is what I used with the life line swaged direct onto the rigging screw threaded section. This also allows the life lines to pass through the stanchion lifeline holes

images


https://www.boltandnut.com.au/marin...stainless-jaw-swage-rigging-screw-149920.html

You may also get then from Banggoods.


https://www.banggood.com/M5-M6-M8-J...cht-p-1180221.html?ID=514217&cur_warehouse=CN
 
Dyneema & soft shackles could probably do a lot of that, and get a bit of practice in splicing, not that it's difficult. Then when you're off cruising you can be more self sufficient and not reliant on finding a shackle shop of someone to crimp when away from yacht hot spots.
 
coopec said:
I'm wondering if I should trust Chinese shackles?
Click to expand...

I imagine some will be very good and others will be crap. The problem will be identifying which is which, and short of setting up a load-test machine to test one from each batch, I don't have any suggestions on how to do that.

I do think GHA's point about dyneema and similar fibres is a good one. Lots of things that once were done with hemp lashings, then went to iron, bronze, and then stainless for strength and lack of stretch, can now come back to modern cordage and "marlinespike" skills. Takes longer than clipping a shop-bought fitting into place, but it's cheaper and more DIYable which seems like it should appeal to a self-builder.

Pete
 
I have tested lots of shackles and as PRV says some are rubbish and some are excellent - and they basically all look the same. I have tested 'brand' name shackles from 'western' suppliers and from reputable chandlers both sourcing in China and some are 'OK' ish and some rubbish. I'm fairly sure that many 'we' would buy (from reputable chandlers and reputable manufacturers) have not even been batch tested - fail to meet specification - but would be usable.

Its a lottery.

If you want certainty then buy from Crosby and Van Beest. For non critical application - most shackles will be satisfactory.

CMPs Black Pin shackles are slightly understrength, they meet Imperial specifications but not metric. West Marines shackles bent like overcooked spaghetti. (they met specification for strength but bent too quickly). Peerless G80 shackles did not meet specification. All of these source in China.


Buy from Crosby or Van Beast.

Jonathan
 
Rogershaw said:
This is what I used with the life line swaged direct onto the rigging screw threaded section. This also allows the life lines to pass through the stanchion lifeline holes


https://www.boltandnut.com.au/marin...stainless-jaw-swage-rigging-screw-149920.html

You may also get then from Banggoods.


https://www.banggood.com/M5-M6-M8-J...cht-p-1180221.html?ID=514217&cur_warehouse=CN
Click to expand...

Roger

I'll use that type of swaged rigging screw. I'm surprised you buy from Bolt and Nut because that is an Australian crowd? And of course I've heard of Banggoods (I don't think they'd sell rubbish)

I'll sit down with a list of bits that I think I may need and get some prices from different sources.

Thanks
 
GHA said:
Dyneema & soft shackles could probably do a lot of that, and get a bit of practice in splicing, not that it's difficult. Then when you're off cruising you can be more self sufficient and not reliant on finding a shackle shop of someone to crimp when away from yacht hot spots.
Click to expand...

Good advice: I'll definitely do that. I'm sure I'm going to need shackles, pulleys etc for purposes I haven't considered at this stage. :encouragement:
 
prv said:
I imagine some will be very good and others will be crap. The problem will be identifying which is which, and short of setting up a load-test machine to test one from each batch, I don't have any suggestions on how to do that.

I do think GHA's point about dyneema and similar fibres is a good one. Lots of things that once were done with hemp lashings, then went to iron, bronze, and then stainless for strength and lack of stretch, can now come back to modern cordage and "marlinespike" skills. Takes longer than clipping a shop-bought fitting into place, but it's cheaper and more DIYable which seems like it should appeal to a self-builder.

Pete
Click to expand...

Thanks for that Pete.

I'm sure you are right in saying I'll have a problem sorting out the good from the bad. I think I'd have to only buy from a large reputable eBay seller with a very high rating % and then there'd have to be a significant cost saving to justify the risk.

(I'm taking your advice very, very seriously as a dozen times during construction of the steering system I cursed myself for not taking your advice to install a much simpler chain/cable/conduit system) :encouragement:
 
Neeves said:
If you want certainty then buy from Crosby and Van Beest. For non critical application - most shackles will be satisfactory.

Jonathan
Click to expand...

Jonathon

I'm sure that is all good advice. If a life depends on it it will be the very best gear but otherwise I will compromise. Cheers
 
Thanks guys.

It is good to get intelligent advice from people who have " been there /done that" rather than advice from self appointed "experts" who know SFA.

Sadly in forums like these Erasmus' quote "In the land of the blind the one eyed man is king" rings so true.
 
Last edited:
Clive you probably have dealt with Yacht Grot in Fremantle. A long way from your home but I have always found them good for rigging and stuff. yachtgrot.com.au In my opinion Chinese shackles are OK. You do need stainless steel wire not plastic covered for life lines according to Yachting Australia racing requirements. A good standard to follow. ol'will
 
Thanks for that William.

I often get down to Fremantle but used to think parking was a problem at Yacht Grot until I went in one day and the staff assured me I could park "in either of those two bays and you won't get fined". I would love to know what arrangement they had with the parking inspector!!:)

Taskers in O'Connor will in all probability be doing the rigging as I know Steve Hartley quite well so Fremantle is part of my " stamping ground"

Cheers
 
I've just noticed you are in Oz.

Crosby recently bought Gunnebo. When I have bought Crosby shackles I have bought through Tecni in the UK - I have never found a way of buying direct from America. Buying Crosby shackles are not cheap - but I don't buy many - only as the primary shackle for the anchor.

Now that Gunnebo is in the mix they have an operation in Australia and they may offer a more cost effective way of sourcing shackles.

The key Gunnebo man is Russell Ashcroft (I think he is the MD)

russell.ashcroft@gunneboindustries.com.au

For non- critical application Bullivants and Robertsons buy shackles in bulk from China and do, or did, their own batch testing. Note that Crosby's G209 A shackles have approx 2 times the strength of 'approved' Australian shackles. Australia and NZ have no spec for the high strength shackles sold by Crosby - and there is thus no, or only a very limited market, market for them. Van Beest shackles are sold by a number of importers - Ian Allen Marketing, Dandenong (or look under his Titan brand) sell them (he used to be senior at PWB and knows his stuff, ian@titanlifting.com )

Sorry - but I'm not involved with turnbuckles etc - sorry cannot help.

Jonathan
 
William_H said:
. You do need stainless steel wire not plastic covered for life lines according to Yachting Australia racing requirements. A good standard to follow. ol'will
Click to expand...

A while ago I bought plastic coated lifeline which I now regret. I think I'll use it as the intermediate lifeline and install ss lifeline at the top on the 900 mm stanchions. Then I'll add Polyester (UV resistant!) life-line netting which is very affordable and quite common on cruising yachts these days.
 
Jonathon

Thanks for that info and link. I've book-marked that in my "Buy" folder for future use.. There is no way I'll skimp on shackles for my anchors.:encouragement:

Cheers
 
coopec said:
Roger

I'll use that type of swaged rigging screw. I'm surprised you buy from Bolt and Nut because that is an Australian crowd? And of course I've heard of Banggoods (I don't think they'd sell rubbish)

I'll sit down with a list of bits that I think I may need and get some prices from different sources.

Thanks
Click to expand...

I don't buy from Bolt and Nut in OZ I just found them and posted the link. I mainly buy from local to me suppliers checking on quality and original supplier.

I have purchased some items from Banggoods and what was supplied was all OK. No rigging items from banggoods.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top