Halyard shackle options

[ryanmohr]

I had the shackle on my mainsail bust on us during our last sail. Time to replace it. What are the pros and cons of the various halyard shackles? Can you just use a simple D shackle? I'd prefer simple and strong over everything else.

Here's a few questions for the experts:

Does a halyard shackle need to have a swivel?

Do you have to use a twisted shackle for the jib if you don't use a swivel?

Are swiveling snap shackles worth the extra money?

Is it all just a matter of personal preference, and any shackle with the proper load rating will suffice?

 

[Ross]

probably not politically correct but I use screw pin shackles on my halyards.

 

[kloudie1]

I use a captive screw pin one,; a short spliced eye retains it.. Kinda like this one:
http://www.mauriprosailing.com/Tylaska/Tylaska-halyard-shackle.htm

 

[jimg]

I've used a knot for somewhere over 30 years now. They never break, rust, jam, require tools to undo, and they take up less space and weigh less than any shackle. Just sayin".

 

[Calif. Ted]

I find the Ronstan stainless shackles to be a good choice for weight and budget, if you need a new halyard they can even splice it on if you wish. When you get some wear at the sheave later you can cut some and tie it on. http://shop.catalinaowners.com/detail.htm?group=369&cat=1648
And check the halyards in the clearance section of this website, maybe something for a very good price.
http://shop.catalinaowners.com/clear/clear-detail.htm?group=1119

 

[FourPoints]

I use one like this.
http://shop.sailnet.com/product_info.php/products_id/45362?osCsid=49775c9ce33abd10672725aaae3057e3

 

[Stu Jackson]

Here's one

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...toreNum=10102&subdeptNum=10161&classNum=10165

Has worked for 12 years now.

 

[Ross]

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...toreNum=10102&subdeptNum=10161&classNum=10165

Has worked for 12 years now.

It will probably outlast several halyards. I rather like that design.

 

[Joe]

I had the shackle on my mainsail bust on us during our last sail. Time to replace it. What are the pros and cons of the various halyard shackles? Can you just use a simple D shackle? I'd prefer simple and strong over everything else.

Here's a few questions for the experts:

Does a halyard shackle need to have a swivel?

No

Do you have to use a twisted shackle for the jib if you don't use a swivel?

No

Are swiveling snap shackles worth the extra money?

If you need a quick release and you change the headsails often.... yes...
for a mainsail... no

Is it all just a matter of personal preference, and any shackle with the proper load rating will suffice?

yes... and ... yes.

For replacing your mainshail halyard a capitive pin, D shackle is fine....I wouldn't spend a hundred bucks on it without knowing what my own personal preferance is... My main halyard is a wire to rope... with a thimble... so I choose the forged, keypin with bar shackle so it won't accidently separate from the thimble.

 

[druid]

The last 2 boats I've owned have the D shackles, but once I didn't get the pin seated properly and it let go, requiring someone to go up the mast and get the halyard. Those pin-style shackles look like they'd be a little more work to connect, but more secure.

druid

 

[ryanmohr]

Thanks everyone.

I had thought about just tying it on, but the headboard has some pretty hard edges and I'd be worried about the line wearing through.

Joe - Have you ever had problems with those keypin shackles accidentally opening? That thumb lever looks convenient but also looks vulnerable.

Four, Stu, and Ross - The eye splice on the halyard is still intact. Can you squeeze an existing splice onto that molded piece or does it have to be threaded at the time of the splice?

 

[FourPoints]

Joe - Have you ever had problems with those keypin shackles accidentally opening? That thumb lever looks convenient but also looks vulnerable.

the wichard one I use has detents that make it tough to open without a shackle wrench or pair of pliers, I have no concerns about it opening on it's own.

Four, Stu, and Ross - The eye splice on the halyard is still intact. Can you squeeze an existing splice onto that molded piece or does it have to be threaded at the time of the splice?

I had mine spliced on the halyard when I replaced the old halyards this spring. unless your eye splice is loose, it wouldn't fit onto the shackle. The plastic bushing is designed to be spliced into the line tight so it doesn't slip off. I'd suggest the line be respliced on the new shackle.