Mast tang shackles :: Catamaran Sailboats at TheBeachcats.com

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Mast tang shackles

yelkenli1

Rank: Mate

Registered: May 31, 2011

Last visit: Dec 17, 2023

Posts: 126
Posted: Apr 08, 2013 - 04:13 PM

For the shackles that hold the trapeze wires, and the shackle that holds the forestay and halyard wire, do you use lock-tight on those?

How about any of the machine screws that hold blocks onto the crossbars - same question.

Thanks,
Yes, I am putting my boat together for the season

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Ted
Hobie 16
South Carolina Lake sailing
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davefarmer

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 26, 2002

Last visit: Sep 23, 2019

Posts: 390
Posted: Apr 08, 2013 - 05:06 PM

Any fastener that's related to holding the boat together or keeping the mast vertical warrants red locktite or saftey wire. Time and money well spent if it ever saves you from even one big failure.

Dave
MN3

Rank: Master Chief

Registered: Jun 20, 2006

Last visit: Dec 04, 2024

Posts: 7090
Posted: Apr 09, 2013 - 06:22 AM

great advice... yet i have never done it or met anyone who does.
I do walk around my boat every month or so with a tool and make sure all 3 main connection points (and all others) are very tight.

I did find a side stay had worked it's way loose last weekend. Glad i caught it before it caught me.

davefarmerAny fastener that's related to holding the boat together or keeping the mast vertical warrants red locktite or saftey wire. Time and money well spent if it ever saves you from even one big failure.

Dave
dhennessy

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Apr 06, 2011

Last visit: May 19, 2017

Posts: 35
Posted: Apr 09, 2013 - 06:19 PM

Here is what I did. I thought about replacing all the shackles with ones that have holes in the flat part of the shackle pin so they could be safety wired. Then I thought I could save $$ by using the shackles from the boat and drill a hole in the flat part of the shackle pin. I ended taking all the shackles off my cat that I do not regularly open, used a metal punch to dimple the center of the flat part of the shackle pin, and drilled them with a small drill bit. Then I removed any burrs around the hole, put them back on the boat and used some stainless steel rigging wire to safety wire them. This did not take much time and now I do not have to worry about any shackles coming loose.
Good luck,
Dan
Bradenton, Fl
presto13031

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jan 21, 2003

Last visit: Feb 10, 2015

Posts: 115
Posted: Apr 10, 2013 - 11:54 AM

I use zip ties instead of safety wire. They are cheap, non-reactive, and you cancheck them for signs of aging easily. Plus they are easy to replace.

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Jeff
Houston TX
1986 Hobie 18 Sail# 13031
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P.M.

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jan 14, 2004

Last visit: Sep 25, 2024

Posts: 866
Posted: Apr 11, 2013 - 10:50 AM

Or you can just use captive pin shackles.

--
Philip
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bacho

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jun 17, 2011

Last visit: Sep 24, 2023

Posts: 783
Posted: Apr 11, 2013 - 11:28 AM

davefarmerholding the boat together or keeping the mast vertical warrants red locktite or saftey wire.

Dave

I wouldn't suggest red locktite, I am more concerned with anti-seize on all bolts. That with keeping a reasonable inspection schedule should be adequate.

--
Greenville SC

Offering sails and other go fast parts for A-class catamarans
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Edchris177

Rank: Chief

Registered: Nov 26, 2009

Last visit: Aug 10, 2024

Posts: 2531
Posted: Apr 11, 2013 - 05:39 PM

QuoteI wouldn't suggest red locktite,

+1 Red is the strong stuff, you need heat to get it loose, use Blue if you want to Loctite. If the shackles have holes, I use zip ties. They easily last a season, & are easy to snip with side cutters when you disassemble the boat for winter,(if your climate requires that).
If no holes, I would wrap some rigging tape, or colored electrical tape around it. Much easier to remove than Loctite. Save the Loctite for areas that you can't see or get at.

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Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
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MN3

Rank: Master Chief

Registered: Jun 20, 2006

Last visit: Dec 04, 2024

Posts: 7090
Posted: Apr 11, 2013 - 05:58 PM

I had rigging tape covered in red electrical tape around my side stay shackles and about 1 month ago I found a side stay had worked its self about 1 turn away from completely unscrewed

I even have a boating multi-tool that i use to snug them way down. Even with that there is just to much tension and loading and unloading going on at that point (at least on my boat) and require either zip ties/security wires or frequent tests to make sure none of the main rigging points are loose (for standard shackles)

QuoteIf no holes, I would wrap some rigging tape, or colored electrical tape around it. Much easier to remove than Loctite. Save the Loctite for areas that you can't see or get at.

Edited by MN3 on Apr 11, 2013 - 05:59 PM.