Snap / Headboard Shackle

RichH · May 8, 2013

What you want is a Headboard — Halyard shackle ***with a BAR***. Also known as a KEY shackle (with 'bar')
The bar keeps the halyard shackle 'permanently' attached to the halyard ... you have to splice the barred shackle into the eye connection of the halyard. Such shackle has a positive lock for the pin, the pin CANNOT be released from the shackle, and most important - cant be shaken loose when spliced to the halyard end.

See the attached pic for an example.
Youll have to figure out / measure the clearances for the shackle such as clearance between the bar and the locking pin AND the thickness of the headboard (and if the boltrope, etc. is across the 'top' of the headboard, etc.). I searched the SBO store and they dont have anything close to this that I can find. Wichard is the prime mfgr. of such 'key' shackles.

http://www.wichard.com/fiche-A|WICHARD|91433 HR-0202080200000000-ME.html

If you use your halyards to help climb the mast DO NOT use a "Snap Shackle" .... too dangerous as they can open without warning if the loading is not 'perfectly in line'. Use only a KEY shackle on a halyard that you use to climb masts. ;-)

JoeWhite · May 8, 2013

Brian - I use the same shackle. I am cheaper and I tie a bowline to the shackle.

centerline · May 8, 2013

these have the removable bar.... I like the way the pin is captive and locks on the these type of shackles, and the bar is absolutely necessary if you want to keep your shackle. if the halyard should ever get away from you while working with it, a loose shackle will be a gift to the deep...

Ward H · May 9, 2013

I use the Wichard schackle similar to what is pictured but with removable bar and longer "handle". Buying halyards and putting in your own eye splice offsets the cost of the shackle. I found putting in eye splices to be pretty easy after you learn how.

Joe · May 9, 2013

If you splice in your own eyes for halyards....... construct a long splice, or luggage tag splice, then you can connect and remove ANY kind of shackle. Visualize how luggage tags are applied and it will make sense. No more fumbling with removable pins or tiny lock screws.

Most often used on single braid, but smaller diameter double braid would be compact enough to fit in the shackle's eye.

Indysailor · May 10, 2013

Brian D said:
I agree Ward. Not that I can eye-splice, but I have seen it done enough and will be willing to practice on my old halyards when I convert them to spring lines. Can't let that old rope go to waste.

Thanks all for the advice.

Your better off practicing with lengths of new rope. Old rope is very difficult to splice.

Joe · May 10, 2013

Indysailor said:
Your better off practicing with lengths of new rope. Old rope is very difficult to splice.

Amen to that, and you can find explicit splicing instructions on every cordage manufacturer's website. New England Ropes, Samson, Yale, Marlow...etc.

bffatcat · May 11, 2013

Halyard Shackle

guys! Why bother with a halyard shackle? Just tie the halyard with a bowline thru the eye
in the headboard. that`s what I do It works fine

shemandr · May 11, 2013

I don't understand the role of the bar. Is it that if the shackle was open, the halyard eye splice or bowline could slip off the shackle? Doesn't seem like that would happen very much.
I always thought it was structural, to help the shackle not collapse under the long term tension it is under.

Joe Blizzard · May 12, 2013

Brian D said:
I was actually looking for one with the upper bar removable so I can slide it into the eye splice that is already in the halyard.

Several online sources say the bar on the Wichard shackle is removable. Might be worth your while to contact SBO customer service.

Snap / Headboard Shackle

.

.

Attachments

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.