We had the jib off, so I just replaced all the standard Harken shackles our new furler came with with Wichard self-locking ones.
We have been using these things for decades in places where wiring the shackle is not a good idea (spinnakers are expensive) and never had one back out on us. Highly recommended and really nicely made.
That said, on an offshore voyaging boat, I would add a drop of Loctite Blue.
You can see how they work in the closeup below.
Hi John,
I too have had great luck with those locking shackles.
For applications like near a sail, I mouse with light line. I use #18 tarred seine twine which is tarred nylon 3 strand and it seems to work well. After taking my turns, I do a square knot and then an overhand in each tail pulled hard against the square knot. Without the overhand knot, it will come out relatively quickly but with them, they last amazingly well and show when you need to redo them as you see a tail first.
Eric
Hi Eric,
That sounds good to me. Definitely going in my box of tricks, particularly the overhand knot to lock the reef knots, which I have never found that reliable.
I’ve used these for over 30 years and like them. However, they’re not flawless. It’s important to not over tighten them. That damages the locking system. Also, if overloaded a bit, the locking will usually be less reliable. Still, absolutely good stuff.
Hi John and all,
I put a dab of silicone on the threads and then tighten down on the conventional D shackles and have not had any back out.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
Hi Dick,
I guess I would prefer Loctite blue, given that it’s actually made for thread locking, which silicon goop is not. Also silicon is a super slippery substance so I would worry about it as a thread locker, and after something has had silicon on it, it’s very difficult to get anything else to stick, like LocTite