Shackle lifehack 1: Better safe than sorry
The connecting shackle between the mainsail tack and the luff fitting of the boom is exposed to a lot of movement and load changes when setting and hoisting sails and during manoeuvres, and is therefore particularly susceptible to unintentional opening. Regular checking and observation of the thread can help. However, there are also safer and, above all, more relaxed solutions that get to the root of the problem. For example, the eye at the end of the bolt can be secured with wire or, even better, with a thin Dyneema rigging. The method shown here is even simpler: To prevent the pin from opening, a commercially available split pin ring is used, which should be in every toolbox. This is pulled through the small hole in the pin and through the shackle itself, preventing the shackle pin from rotating. If you are still worried that something might get stuck, for example, you can also tape the ends of the locking ring to provide double protection.
Seen on a blue water yacht
Shackle lifehack 2:Rope shackle
We use the following system to prevent the fore sheet from snagging when tacking: make a very long rope shackle from Dyneema. This is tied around the genoa sheet as a prusik loop. If you leave the closing mechanism pointing forwards, you can close it securely in the clew eye and also open it again easily.
Alexander Friedrich, 23970 Wismar
Shackle lifehack 3:Folding bolt
The bolts of shrouds and stays are usually secured with ring cotter pins. These can quickly bend open accidentally and must be taped. When laying the mast with cold fingers, they are difficult to open. We therefore use hinged pins. A small rotating plate at the front end of the bolt prevents it from being lost. To additionally secure the locking mechanism, we pull a cable tie through the hole in the locking plate.
Peter Burgard, Heidelberg
Shackle lifehack 4:Safety shackle
We can rest easy knowing that the shackle between the chain lead and the anchor line is always properly secured. To do this, we have attached a small shackle through the hole at the end of the bolt of the large one. As the smaller one encloses the larger shackle, it prevents the bolt from being untwisted accidentally. Of course, the safety shackle also needs to be checked from time to time.
Lisa Pasler, Greifswald
Do you have any advice for other sailors?
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