Stainless vs galvanised; is this a 'non problem'

Stainless chain flows down to the bottom of the chain locker with less of a tendency to form a pile right under the windlass, but the extra cost is a big price to pay for a small advantage. I think that going down one size with a high tensile galvanised chain would be a better use of the cash, and I see no good reason to have stainless ground tackle. As for corrosion I have galvanised chain and anchor connected by a stainless swivel, and it does not appear to cause any problems.
 
Thanks.
As I see it one of the biggest issues is the lack of provenance of so many shackles bought in chandlers. A good quality shackle of either material will do the job eminently well. If your concern is also about galvanic activity between galv chain and stainless shackle, the effect is very slight. You might conceivably see the need to chop a couple of links off the chain every few years, but otherwise, no prob. That said, anchoring 150+ nights per year with a (rated, Wichard) stainless shackle hasn't caused me to chop off a single link.

Very good info (on this, and other matters), on this page: http://coxeng.co.uk/anchoring/connectors/
 
Last edited:
macd said:
Thanks.
As I see it one of the biggest issues is the lack of provenance of so many shackles bought in chandlers. A good quality shackle of either material will do the job eminently well. If your concern is also about galvanic activity between galv chain and stainless shackle, the effect is very slight. You might conceivably see the need to chop a couple of links off the chain every few years, but otherwise, no prob. That said, anchoring 150+ nights per year with a (rated, Wichard) stainless shackle hasn't caused me to chop off a single link.

Very good info (on this, and other matters), on this page: http://coxeng.co.uk/anchoring/connectors/
Click to expand...

As usual the http://coxeng.co.uk/ site is excellent.
 
Last edited:
I would be very careful of using stainless shackles for anchoring, as they seem to be of very variable quality. When I bought my new anchor I trawled the chandleries in Marmaris until I found a decent quality galvanised one. I still did not however know just how good it was so replaced it with a genuine Crosby shackle. https://www.liftingsafety.co.uk/product/alloy-screw-pin-shackles-2376.html
 
What you probably need is a bow shackle, proof tested and load rated (above that of your chain) forged and galvanized. This information should be on the shackle and on a certificate
 
Plum said:
The only difference is when you want to unscrew the shackle. After a few years you will probably have to cut the galv one off.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
Click to expand...

This is as likely to be true of a stainless shackle.

A decent rated galvanised bow shackle will not deform until the tension on it is 2 times the WLL (which will be stamped embossed on the shackle). This is part of the specification. If you buy a decent Crosby Grade B shackle, designated G209A by Crosby (available from Tecni in the UK) of a size of 3/8th" it will have a 2t WLL, which means its clevis pin will not deform till in excess of 4t - if you have a 4t tension on your chain - you will have more worries than bent shackle! The yield of stainless is much lower than a HT gal steel shackle - and it, 3/8th"/10mm may commence deformation below 1t (and this is possible). If it is of nefarious origin in may deform at 500kg.

Unless it is a shackle from a dependable source I would remove it from your yacht - it will be adequate for securing a dog but it has no place on a yacht where it might be mistaken for something of quality.

I am not aware of any grade B shackles, other then Crosby, of a size we would use. Van Beast make them - but they are too large, unless you own a traditional Thames sailing barge. Columbus Mackinnon, same. Campbell in America make them, the smallest are 3/8th" and I have never, ever, heard that they are available in Europe. Peerless used to sell them (of good quality) but they changed their source and the last lot I tested were, rubbish. CMP Black Pin shackles are not Grade B, did not meet their own specification - I have not tested them since.

More anchors are lost through poor shackle choice or use of poor quality swivels than any other reasons.

Jonathan
 
IIRC Vyv Cox tested shacles and found that top quality branded S/S ones were stronger than normal galvanised types of the same size. Crosby's are, of course, rated clearly and offer a known and tested strength.
 
Often a problem finding good stuff in chandlers.
I see the Force 4, 2018 catalogue lists a range of Titan, tested bow shackles with pin sizes between 8 and 19mm.

Not very expensive but phone ahead to check availability.
 
doug748 said:
Often a problem finding good stuff in chandlers.
I see the Force 4, 2018 catalogue lists a range of Titan, tested bow shackles with pin sizes between 8 and 19mm.

Not very expensive but phone ahead to check availability.
Click to expand...
Make sure you use Titan High Strength (HS on the shackle), black pin for anchoring
 
Bouba said:
Make sure you use Titan High Strength (HS on the shackle), black pin for anchoring
Click to expand...

They, the Black Pin shackles, are lower strength than Crosby's G209A shackles - and when queried with CMP (who market the Titan shackles) they, coincidentally, reduced their specification. I question their 'testing' as they should have known, if they test, that they did not meet their own specification.

Their other quality, the Yellow Pin shackles, a Grade A shackle - are as good as any other.

I have not tested them for 12 months.

Jonathan

Edit

The Black Pin shackles should be more than adequate as an anchor shackle. You can guess my reasons for being less than enthusiastic

close edit
 
Last edited:
Neeves said:
.....

Their other quality, the Yellow Pin shackles, a Grade A shackle - are as good as any other......

Jonathan
Click to expand...


Yes, as good as any other grade A stamped shackle from a known manufacturer. The problem in the UK, is in buying this known quality over the counter, glad to see Force 4 are doing it.
 
Crosby G209A shackles,

3/8th", 2,000Kg WLL, Stg10 approx

http://www.tecni-cable.co.uk/Products?search=Crosby+G209A+shackles

edit

Unfortunately 3/8th" is the smallest Crosby make

https://www.thecrosbygroup.com/prod.../crosby-209a-alloy-screw-pin-anchor-shackles/

The CMP Black pin shackles come in one size smaller 5/16"

http://titanmarineproducts.com/high-strength-forged-hot-dipped-galvanized-shackles

If you are lucky and have contacts in the US then Crosby are easily available there or

http://www.campbellchainandfittings...hackle-screw-pin-forged-alloy-galvanized.html

Campbell may also be available in the UK, don't know.

Again 3/8th" is the smallest size.


I've tested both Crosby and Campbell shackles and both meet their own specifications.

Close edit
 
Last edited:
Bouba said:
What you probably need is a bow shackle, proof tested and load rated (above that of your chain) forged and galvanized. This information should be on the shackle and on a certificate
Click to expand...

Certified shackles can usually be found at Chandlers dealing with fishing boats. They must have tested shackles where they are being used for lifting purposes - with crew nearby. Not that expensive.
 
I have to say that I like the Allen screw countersunk shackles, as they fit my bow roller better without snagging. I still use the same Wichard 17/4PH ones I have owned for years. Wichard now call this alloy HR (Haute Resistance) but the last time I looked they did not make that particular design in that alloy. http://marine.wichard.com/menu-HR_shackles-0202080000000000-ME.html

So far as corrosion issues are concerned, there are almost none in anchoring gear. I anchor quite a lot, most nights for nearly half the year, and the worst that has happened is that the zinc galvanising on the last few links of chain have corroded away. After five years I have replaced the three links between the shackle and swivel because they were beginning to leave red stains.

It seems to me that my anchor corrodes a lot more in the air than it does in the water. I guess the same applies to the zinc on the chain, but of course it is not galvanic unless it is immersed.
 
I suspect the best stainless shackles available might be under the Cromox brand, by Kitten Walder and the range of components, including chain is all G50 (most of our chain is G30 but a Grade B shackle is G80). http://www.ketten-waelder.com/products/cromox/. They only come as 'D' shackles, are weaker than the same sized Grade B shackles, Crosby's G209A and extortionate - what's to like (except they are probably very pretty :) ). http://www.ketten-waelder.com/products/cromox/ They are available in the UK, but I cannot recall the distributor.

Personally for a device that holds your anchor to the chain and on which you and your crew, grandchildren?, rely for a safe night I simply do not understand the reluctance to ring Tecni, or anyone else who may stock and order one Crosby shackle - is Stg10 so much for security? We cannot buy Crosby shackles in Oz, or I have not found a source - we buy ours from Tecni. It will be significantly stronger than the chain, correctly tested (I think they Proof Test every one, tension to 2 times WLL) and the pin can be secured by mousing and/or Loctite.

edit

Viv mentions preferential corrosion of the last few links on the chain with his stainless shackle. This occurred on our chain with rated gal shackles - so it is not an effect limited to stainless. I used to regularly chop them off. I have always (and perhaps naively) assumed it was the dissimilarity of the mild steel of the chain (G30) and the alloy of both the shackle and anchor shank (both of which are a 'nominal' G80 quality). We have had our G80 chain in use now for almost 2 years and have not seen the first few links corroding - maybe its too soon, maybe its our better and different galvanising or maybe being also a G80 and maybe a similar alloy - my naive assumptions are correct.

close edit
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

S
What are these for?
Replies
13
Views
700
Refueler
Refueler

Share this page

Top