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Sandyh · 09-01-2012, 22:30

I'm about to send my re-worked headsail back up the foil where it's lived for quite a while.

Two shackles secure the sail and halyard up there and aren't touched or visually checked in any sort of routine.

Do any of you have thoughts either way on using [say] Loctite to secure the shackles?

Cheers

rebel heart · 09-01-2012, 22:35

I've seen guys put cotter pins into holes drilled into the turnbuckle bolts, essentially stopping them from being able to turn accidentally.

ozskip · 09-01-2012, 22:45

I mouse a shackle with monel wire anytime there is a chance it will come undone

fstbttms · 09-01-2012, 22:58

Two words- seizing wire.

**Dockhead** · 09-01-2012, 22:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozskip

I mouse a shackle with monel wire anytime there is a chance it will come undone

+1

That's SOP for shackles and better than Loctite. Properly done the monel wire will positively prevent the shackle pin from turning.

I do use Loctite on my Kong anchor connector, but only because there is no other way -- the pins are flush in order to prevent problems with the bow roller.

**Jim Cate** · 10-01-2012, 02:04

G'Day Ozskip,

Well, there seem to be a lot of nay-sayers on this subject, but we routinely use red locktite on halyard shackles and other such applications. Works just fine. And, many smaller shackles don't have holes for safety wire/mousing. But, on ground tackle, we definitely use seizing wire for absolute security.

Cheers,

Jim

mrohr · 10-01-2012, 05:04

Monel wire if it is super important and permanent and would cause mayhem if if all comes adrift.
But for lesser applications that may need periodic opening I like small zip ties.

**capngeo** · 10-01-2012, 06:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrohr

Monel wire if it is super important and permanent and would cause mayhem if if all comes adrift.
But for lesser applications that may need periodic opening I like small zip ties.

+1 on zip ties!

FWIW, I don't like to do anything other than tighten the headsail shackle well. First ,the worst case scenario is the sail falls and you have an errant line at the top of the mast.

On the other hand if (and this is real world first hand experience) you are sailing reefed and your roller furling line parts allowing your 150% Genny to deploy full in 40kts... You have to "climb" the sail to bring it down, all the time trying to corral it from blowing overboard... Dealing with locktited shackles under those conditions does not appeal to me.

Bash · 10-01-2012, 07:10

+2 on zip ties! The smaller the better.

biltong · 10-01-2012, 07:32

+3 Zip ties, the way to go. Easy to remove when needed.

**Cotemar** · 10-01-2012, 08:05

+ 4 Zip ties, but black only.
Black is UV rated
White or clear zip ties will break down fast in the sun.

Steve Pope · 10-01-2012, 08:17

I have been using blue locktite for years on any permanent or semi permanent shackles, I use the one that is in stick form, rather like a lipstick dispenser. Not hard to get undone, never had one loosen.