Wichard Shackles & Snap Shackles

Shackles are small parts that carry big loads, and Wichard forges its stainless steel shackles in France for strength and corrosion resistance you can rely on. This collection covers snap shackles, D shackles, and swivel shackles for sailing and rigging. Choosing right comes down to the release you need, the load, and how the shackle attaches.

Snap, D, or swivel

Snap shackles open and close fast with a pull of the plunger, which is what you want for halyards, sheets, and gear you connect and release often. D shackles thread closed with a pin for a permanent, high-strength attachment that stays put. Swivel-eye shackles let the connected line or block rotate without twisting, which prevents fouling on a spinnaker or a block.

Size to the working load

Every shackle has a safe working load, and it must comfortably exceed the load at that point. Undersizing a shackle on a high-load line is dangerous, so match the size to the job and step up for margin when you are unsure. A fixed eye is simpler, while a swivel eye adds rotation where the load would otherwise twist.

Why forged stainless

Forged stainless is stronger than cast hardware and resists the corrosion that weakens lesser fittings in salt. For anything that carries load aloft, the quality is worth it, because a failed shackle under load is dangerous and expensive.

Not sure which shackle you need? Tell our crew where it goes and the load, and we will match the type, size, and release.