When you are selecting a shackle for your anchoring system, it is sometimes helpful to know that shackles come in two different shapes.

Shackles that are manufactured to Federal Specification RR-271E, the manufacturing standard for shackles that is used in the U.S.A., can be of two strengths-regular-strength (carbon) shackles or high-strength (alloy) shackles. But shackles also come in two different shapes-anchor (bow) shackles or chain (“D”) shackles.

Regular-strength (carbon) “bow” shackles are the most common, found just about anywhere that shackles are sold. Regular-strength (carbon) “D” shackles are harder to come by, mostly being “order only” items.

High-strength (alloy) “bow” shackles, too, are mostly “order only” items, while high-strength (alloy) “D” shackles are the most difficult to locate, available only through a limited number of suppliers.

There are a couple of advantages to using “D” shackles. “D” shackles usually minimizes or eliminates kinking of the chain at the shackle; and, “D” shackles often make it through tight areas that often interfere or stop “bow” shackles.

If you cannot locate these shackles through a local industrial supply facility or chain supplier, with some persistence, you can usually find them online, or by contacting a manufacturer.

About the Authors:

Jill and Rudy Sechez “ANCHORING CONSULTANTS”
Onboard Sessions • Consultations • Seminars • Speaking Engagements

Jill and Rudy first began cruising in 1997 aboard a 36-foot wood, cutter-rigged sailboat that they built in a small backyard. They currently live and cruise aboard a 34-foot sail-assisted wood trawler, which they designed, then built under the trees out in the woods. Relevant to this book, they have seen their boats successfully through seven hurricanes, anchoring through five of them, in addition to numerous tropical storms and countless gales. They cruise primarily the east coasts of the U.S., Gulf of Mexico and the Bahamas, with a trip to Bermuda along the way. Click here to purchase this book.