Safety wiring shackles

[renfam]

Can anyone give me direction on the technique used to ptoperly safety wire a shackle? I am working on a mooring and would like to make sure the fittings stay put. Thanks.

[Irwin32]

Here is how I do it with no problems in 30 years. The shackle pin should have an eye on it. I crank it down as tight as I can get it using a small metal rod or phillips head screw driver for extra leverage. Next I use monel seizing wire and run it through the eye and around the U of the shackle so that there are three strands. I then use a pair of pliers to twist the the two ends together at the eye and trim off the excess with a pair of dykes.

Some people use a wire tie which is certainly easier, but I am not comfortable with this. Wire ties are subject to UV deterioration and the do not have much strength when twisted. I am probably suffering from old shoolism on this one, but I stick with the tried and true when my boat''s safety is at stake.

[Billpjr]

I do it the same way as I32 but use galv wire. Galv wire reacts (electrolysis) less with the galv shackle, chain and anchor. I don''t know about monel but SS will eventually take the zinc off where it is wrapped...been there and done it.

[Irwin32]

Salt water man - good point. I am in fresh where that is not an issue.

[Jeff_H]

Actually, monel is generally considered to be superior than galvanized steel for use in saltwater. There can be sufficiently different alloying between the steel in the shackle and the steel in the wire that electrolysis can occur. My understanding is that monel tends to not be reactive with other metals.

Jeff