Help me remove this shackle (Weird and rusted)

[Whomda]

I wanted to replace my anchor, and discovered that the anchor shackle is severely rusted (presumably not galvanized) and of some unknown origin. See pix.

It looks like it requires a square bolt to unscrew, of a size I don't seem to possess. I can try to get this bolt, but I suspect the amount of corrosion is going to make it hard regardless. No amount of working on it with WD40 and vice grips has made any movement.

I suspect the next step is to get the bolt that fits the slot, PB Blaster, and a torch. None of which I own. Perhaps it's better to cut it off? I'm certainly never going to use this shackle again once it's off.

[DotDun]

Sawzall with a metal blade

[boatman61]

Cut it close up on the threaded side at the inside of the shackle with a junior hacksaw.. pin should just knock free after that

[sailormed]

It looks like the PO cut off the head of the shackle. Just cut it. Put a rag under it when cutting in order to avoid rust stains on your deck.

[Navi2016]

zip cutter disk on a side grinder ....... remember to protect the area from hot metal and were appropriate PPE

[danielamartindm]

A hacksaw will make short work of it.

[Flextron]

It’s a Hex shackle pin. Regardless just cut it off with a hack saw. Every boat should have one!

[Orion Jim]

I reccommend you replace it with a Crosby anchor shackle. If I'm anchored next to you I'll feel much safer

[belizesailor]

Regardless of what you use to cut...capture/clean up all metal filings or each one of them, and there will be thousands, will leave a nice little rust spot on your deck.

[thinwater]

Actually, it would be easier to cut the last link of the chain. It's bad too.

[CarstenWL]

Actually, it would be easier to cut the last link of the chain.

Actually the shackle than still is on the anchor

Carsten

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by CarstenWL

Actually the shackle than still is on the anchor

Carsten

Obviously. He said he was replacing the anchor.

Either way, the last link is also bad.

[ozsailer]

Easy solution as you are upgrading the anchor. One large set of botlcuttes, cut chain link where desired. No iron filings or chance of setting things on fire. Only thing I would do is put a piece of flat timber under the link to be cut to take the force of the cutting teeth of the bolt cutters to protect the gelcoat.



Greg H
Lagoon 410 S2

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by ozsailer

Easy solution as you are upgrading the anchor. One large set of botlcuttes, cut chain link where desired. No iron filings or chance of setting things on fire. Only thing I would do is put a piece of flat timber under the link to be cut to take the force of the cutting teeth of the bolt cutters to protect the gelcoat.



Greg H
Lagoon 410 S2

+1
You do have bolt cutters on board as part of your safety equipment don't you ?

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

+1
You do have bolt cutters on board as part of your safety equipment don't you ?

Exactly what I do, but I didn't want to presume. Takes only seconds.