How do I repair this anchor shackle?

[jbinbi]

Posting here since it is about a shackle, not just about anchors, but mods, move if you think appropriate.

Checking out the boat for the season. Looked at anchor shackle to check seizing wire. Not only found no wire, but not head on the bolt. How do I take this apart. I don't trust this! (see pic, worth 1000 words). BTW, boat is 2 years old, anchor has been used about 5x.

Maybe I should have titled this, replace, obviously not going to keep this shackle.

[UNCIVILIZED]

Disassemble via any controlled destructive means which won't harm anything else attached to it. Such as cutting with a saw, grinder, torch, or bolt cutters. Or drilling out the pin.
Seriously, what else would the answer be?

[Jim Cate]

And please buy a better quality shackle when you do replace it! One like a Crosby or other rated type.

Jim

[Paul L]

A side grinder with a cutting wheel.

[UNCIVILIZED]

BTW, I don't know what the shackle & seizing wire looked like at the end of last season, but they usually don't get to looking that bad overnight. Or with the boat sitting on the hard. I always give them a cursory visual inspection anytime I anchor, or at least as much as is possible when I'm up forward doing a tour of the decks (& hardware). A routine thing; underway & moore
This, along with periodic disassembly, full inspection, & proper reassembly, regularly. The hardware lives longer, & I sleep better.

[JPA Cate]

jbinbi, when you decide to attack this job, get yourself some Lanacote or just plain anhydrous lanolin, and when you attach the new tested shackle, use the lanolin to lubricate the part of the pin that has the threads. This is a preventive maintenance tip, to ensure that you will be able to open it again at a later time. After the pin's screwed in, then mouse the shackle with seizing wire.

One other thing, when you cut the present shackle, you might consider doing it off the boat, because the tiny bits of iron, if allowed to sit on the boat, will rust there, staining whatever they are in contact with, and they can be hard to just wash off effectively.

Ann

[model 10]

Originally Posted by UNCIVILIZED

Disassemble via any controlled destructive means which won't harm anything else attached to it.
Seriously, what else would the answer be?

I suppose loosing a link of chain would not be so bad but what kind of gear fails after anchoring 5 times? There must be some damage on the bow roller.

[UNCIVILIZED]

Another option besides Ann's suggestion, is to clean the threads, & then apply Blue Loctite to them prior to tightening things with a wrench, followed by mousing the shackle. Or using Tefgel, etc. Though on an anchor shackle Loctite adds a little bit of extra peace of mind for me.

And her tip about taking the shackle off ship prior to cutting it is an outstandin one. As if you use a grinder to cut such fittings, the the particulate steel which it throws off can be hot enough to melt it's way into your gelcoat. Thus the particles will stay there & cause rust until removed by agressive, or chemical means.

[Matt Johnson]

If you use a grinder to cut it, try to get it off the boat beforehand. Any dust from cutting will leave rust specks all over the deck that wont show right away. After a few weeks, they set in to the gelcoat and are horrible to remove.

Matt

[jbinbi]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

And please buy a better quality shackle when you do replace it! One like a Crosby or other rated type.

Jim

Came from Lagoon. No idea what they use. Have the latest PS, they just did a test on anchor shackles and have recommendations.

Will have to ask the yard to do this, I don't own an angle grinder, just a hacksaw. Don't know how long it would take to saw thru both sides. Maybe a battery powered sawzall with a metal cutting blade?

[UNCIVILIZED]

Originally Posted by jbinbi

Came from Lagoon. No idea what they use. Have the latest PS, they just did a test on anchor shackles and have recommendations.

Will have to ask the yard to do this, I don't own an angle grinder, just a hacksaw. Don't know how long it would take to saw thru both sides. Maybe a battery powered sawzall with a metal cutting blade?

Hacksaw = 10min. probably half of that.

[jimbunyard]

Or a wire brush, some rust converter, and some spray galvanizing? Or re-galvanizing if this, as it appears to be, is an integral part of the anchor?

I may be wrong, and I couldn't find one with a quick google search, but it appears that this is a square drive pin, recessed head anchor shackle, I'd guess to avoid fouling? (seems kinda odd on an anchor).

Without being there, the rust looks only on the surface, not likely compromising the strength (yet) at all.

Can't see the thread end, but is it drilled for a safety wire? Could also be that it was appropriated from an application where anti fouling is important.

Of course, for the price, a new standardized anchor shackle is the obvious solution, but before breaking out the grinder, try a 1/4" or 3/8" or 1/2" ratchet in the square on the pins head.

[Cheechako]

Hack saw, replace.

[Ken Z]

Put in vice or vice grips, hacksaw, replace with crosby or titan shackle. 🙄

[Cadence]

I think I would beg, barrow or steal some bolt cutters, cut the shackle and since space looks limited go back a link and cut it. I would refrain from anything which would generate heat or generate grindings on your deck.