bronze or stainless dee shackles..alternatives?

[iconic]

Hi guys
my rigging seems to have quite a few bronze dee shackles. I want to get a few spares as i'm the sort to loose the screw pins!

Can i substitute stainless for bronze...any issues with strenght etc?

It has occurred to me that there maybe an alternative to dee shackles...any suggestions?

Thanks

[Mikey]

I think you will find the shackles are brass not bronze - most older dinghy fittings were brass - shackles, bottle screws, piston hanks, etc. These days stainless steel is the preferred metal and is generally more readily available.

[Mikey]

A quick PS - stainless is very strong and you can buy shackles with captive pins!

[kfz]

You need to be careful if with old Bronze shackles, they may not be have lost much of their strength and can snap with little warning. Unless you really looking for authenticity your best changing them for Stainless ones.

Kev

[kfz]

I quite like using a wooden hardwood or nylon stopper on my halyards instead of shackles. Simpler less too go wrong.

[iconic]

Thanks for the tips guys....new full set of SS dee shackles ordered.