Boat shackles
Shackles for sail and power boats: dee, bow, long, twisted and wide jaw in AISI 316 stainless from 4 to 16 mm, with screw pin or captive pin, from Wichard, Osculati an...Read more
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Boat shackles
Shackles for sail and power boats: dee, bow, long, twisted and wide jaw in AISI 316 stainless from 4 to 16 mm, with screw pin or captive pin, from Wichard, Osculati and Motomarine; hot-dip galvanised shackles, HD versions too, from 6 to 32 mm for chain and moorings; Dyneema soft shackles from Liros and Marlow.
Our own soft shackle is the easysea Dyneema Soft Shackle: a fraction of the weight of a stainless shackle, kind to deck and sails, opens and closes by hand and goes up to 10.5 t breaking load.
Which shackle shape
- Dee: for straight, in-line pulls in one direction, such as on chain.
- Bow: a wider, rounder body that takes load from several directions. Use it where the angle of pull changes, for example under a block.
- Long and wide jaw: to reach into pad eyes, chainplates and thick eyes.
- Twisted: turned through 90 degrees to join two points working in different planes.
Stainless, galvanised or soft
- AISI 316 stainless: on deck and on the rig, does not rust or stain.
- Hot-dip galvanised: for anchor chain, ground tackle and permanent moorings. In the large sizes it costs far less than stainless.
- Dyneema soft shackle: light, will not mark gelcoat or sails, opens by hand. It does not like chafe on sharp edges or long exposure to sun.
How to choose the size
The size given is the pin diameter. The shackle has to fit the chain link, pad eye or chainplate, and it must not be the weak point: pick one at least as strong as the chain or line it joins. A screw pin can work loose with vibration, so mouse it with stainless wire or a cable tie.
To see where a soft shackle pays off read soft shackle vs metal shackle. Snap shackles, swivels and pad eyes are in Shackles, hooks and pad eyes; for the anchor see anchor chain.
Frequently asked questions
Dee or bow shackle?
A dee shackle works best with straight, in-line pulls in one direction, such as on chain. A bow shackle has a wider body and takes load from several directions, so use it where the angle of pull changes.
Stainless or galvanised shackle?
On deck and on the rig use AISI 316 stainless, which does not rust or stain. For chain, ground tackle and permanent moorings hot-dip galvanised costs less, especially in the large sizes.
What shackle for anchor chain?
A galvanised or stainless shackle that fits the chain link and the anchor eye and is at least as strong as the chain, so it never becomes the weak point. Mouse the pin with stainless wire or a cable tie.
Can a soft shackle replace a metal one?
In many places yes: it weighs a fraction, will not mark deck or sails and opens by hand. Metal is still the right choice on sharp edges, where you need a precise pin and where the shackle stays in the sun for years.
What is a captive pin shackle?
The pin stays attached to the shackle when you open it, so it cannot drop over the side. Handy on lines you connect and disconnect often.
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