Simple mod makes for a happy sailor

[jssailem]

I did Stu. Having just purchased a couple of ST winches, was wondering what the experiences were. Looks like you install them like a condom for your winch. Have no idea how effective they might be.

Nearly forgot.....

 

[John23883]

ANY part can fail. But, If it is installed correctly and is inspected periodically for damage or wear, unless you are exceeding the limits of the part it is highly unlikely it will fail unless there is a hidden flaw in the part.

Really, no shackles on a boat?! I have had tires blow out on the boat trailer, but I didn't stop using tires.

Snap shackles CANNOT just open by themselves unless they are damaged or the pin is not fully inserted. Have I not assured that the pin was fully inserted and it popped open? Yes. And now I make sure. The shear strength of a 1/8 stainless pin is around 900 lbs. or more depending on the alloy and the shearing edges are sharp, and they are not sharp on a shackle. So either the pin was damaged, the shackle was damaged, you weigh over 900 lbs or the pin was not fully inserted.

The D shackle linked above has a .250 dia. pin and has a breaking strength of 2430 lbs the Lewmar snap shackle with a 6mm (.236 dia.) pin is rated at 2420 lbs.

Now if you are using Chinese no brand name parts then all bets are off.

 

[Joe]

Thanks, Joe, for that one. I got to use more emoticons in one reply than ever before!!!

For those of you who are new around here, Joe and I have been having an "interesting" discussion about Winchers for the past decade or two!

Do a search on Winchers and read away!

Good one, Stu..... A very creative reply...... damn funny, too. Love you, my brother.

 

[LeeandRick]

If you have snap shackles opening inadvertently then you must be leaving the ring on it or putting a lanyard on it. Remove any ring and make an "L" shaped tool (on a key float) to open it. In 40 years of sailing I've had snap shackles anywhere they could handle the load and only once did one open inadvertently and that was because my partner had put a lanyard on it. This only works with certain brands of snap shackle like Winchard. Ronstan and other brands the pin and spring will come out if you remove the ring.

Be careful with quick release pins as most are not designed for the same load as the pin they are replacing due to being hollow. The only one that I've seen that is not hollow is the captive ball model shown above on the left. It's only issue is tolerance in the hole that is holding it. It is always a good idea with any quick release pin to have a small bungee attached to the ring to loop over the ball end to hold it in if the ball fails. (Like a linchpin)

Just one more sailors opinion.