Wichard Self-Locking Bow Shackle Ω

More room for lines, premium forged construction and Wichard self-locking security – a versatile Bow Shackle for demanding sailing applications.

The Wichard Self-Locking Bow Shackle Ω combines a wide bow-shaped body with high mechanical strength and, on the 8mm, 10mm and 12mm versions, Wichard’s practical self-locking pin system.

Compared with a standard D Shackle, the wider Ω / Bow geometry provides more internal room, making it especially useful when several lines or cables need to be attached to the same shackle.

Wichard specifically recommends this range for applications where ample room is required and where multiple lines or cables may need to be connected.

For Cavo Yachting, the product is available in four sizes:

8mm – Wichard #1244
10mm – Wichard #1245
12mm – Wichard #1246
16mm – Wichard #1247

Bow / Ω Shape – More Space for Connections

The main advantage of a Bow Shackle is its wider, rounded body.

Unlike the narrower profile of a D Shackle, the Ω shape creates significantly more room inside the shackle.

This makes it particularly useful when:

• More internal connection space is required
• Several lines need to be connected
• Several cables need to share the same attachment point
• A wider connection geometry is preferable

Wichard specifically identifies ample room and the possibility of attaching several lines or cables as key applications for this range.

Wichard Self-Locking System

The 8mm #1244, 10mm #1245 and 12mm #1246 versions incorporate Wichard’s self-locking pin system.

When the pin is correctly tightened, its head engages with one of the indentations incorporated into the shackle body.

The principle is simple:

Tighten → Pin locks into indentation → Reduced risk of loosening due to vibration

This is particularly valuable aboard sailing yachts, where rigging and deck hardware are continuously subjected to movement and vibration.

Wichard specifically highlights that this system helps prevent the pin from becoming loose due to vibrations.

Forged 316L Stainless Steel

The Wichard Bow Shackle range is manufactured from:

Forged 316L Stainless Steel

This combination provides two important characteristics for marine hardware: excellent mechanical performance from the forged construction and the corrosion resistance expected from 316-grade stainless steel.

The result is a premium stainless-steel shackle designed for demanding sailing and marine applications.

Four Available Sizes

For Cavo Yachting, this variable product includes:

These figures are Wichard’s published technical specifications for each variation.

*Important: Wichard explicitly states that Part #1247 – 16mm is NOT self-locking. It belongs to the same Bow Shackle family and retains its forged 316L construction and high load capacity, but it does not have the self-locking mechanism of the 8mm, 10mm and 12mm versions.

Wichard #1244 – 8mm

The 8mm #1244 is the smallest of the four Cavo Yachting options.

It provides:

Working Load: 1,000kg

Breaking Load: 2,700kg

Weight: only 68g

At only 68 grams, this compact shackle can handle a 1-tonne nautical Working Load, making it an excellent solution where low weight, compact dimensions and the wider Ω geometry are required.

It also features the Wichard self-locking pin.

Wichard #1245 – 10mm

The 10mm #1245 provides a substantial increase in load capacity:

Working Load: 1,520kg

Breaking Load: 4,300kg

Weight: 137g

This version combines the practical wide Bow profile with Wichard’s self-locking system, making it a versatile choice for more demanding sailing and yacht-rigging applications.

Wichard #1246 – 12mm

For higher loads, the 12mm #1246 offers:

Working Load: 2,080kg

Breaking Load: 6,000kg

Weight: 233g

With a nautical Working Load of more than 2 tonnes and a Breaking Load of 6 tonnes, the #1246 provides serious mechanical capacity while retaining the self-locking system.

Wichard #1247 – 16mm

The largest available option is the 16mm #1247.

It delivers:

Working Load: 3,200kg

Breaking Load: 10,000kg

Industrial WLL: 2,000kg

Weight: 540g

With a 10-tonne Breaking Load, this is the strongest version included in this Cavo Yachting variable product.

However, there is one important difference:

The 16mm #1247 is NOT Self-Locking

Wichard explicitly states this on the official technical page. Therefore, the 16mm variation should be described as a Bow Shackle, rather than a Self-Locking Bow Shackle.

Working Load vs Breaking Load

For marine hardware, these figures should never be confused.

Working Load (WL)

Wichard specifies Working Load for nautical applications.

Working Load Limit (WLL)

Wichard specifies WLL for industrial applications only, such as lifting.

Breaking Load

Breaking Load indicates the load at which the component reaches failure during testing. It must not be treated as the normal permissible operating load.

For its industrial WLL figures, Wichard specifies a safety factor of five:

WLL = Breaking Load ÷ 5.

For sailing and yacht applications, selection should therefore take into account the nautical Working Load, dimensions and requirements of the complete installation.

Detailed Dimensions

Bow Shackle Ω or D Shackle?

The main difference is space and connection geometry.

A D Shackle has a narrower profile and is ideal for many direct connections.

A Bow / Ω Shackle has a wider rounded body, providing more room inside the shackle.

This makes the Bow Shackle particularly useful when you need to attach several lines or cables to a single connection point, exactly as Wichard recommends for this range.

Why Choose the Wichard Bow Shackle Ω?

• Genuine Wichard marine hardware
• Premium Bow / Ω Shackle
• Available in 8 / 10 / 12 / 16mm
• Part numbers 1244 / 1245 / 1246 / 1247
• Self-locking system on 8–12mm versions
• Pin engages in an indentation in the body
• Helps prevent accidental loosening due to vibration
• Wide Bow / Ω geometry
• Provides ample room for connections
• Allows attachment of several lines or cables
• Forged construction
• 316L stainless steel
• Nautical Working Load up to 3,200kg
• Breaking Load up to 10,000kg
• CE marking
• Suitable for demanding sailing applications
• Excellent choice for yacht and sailboat hardware
• Made in France

Technical Specifications – Variable Product

More Room. More Connection Options. Serious Strength.

The Wichard Bow Shackle Ω is an excellent choice when a conventional narrow shackle does not provide enough room for the required connection.

Its wide Ω-shaped body allows more space and can accommodate several lines or cables, while the 8mm, 10mm and 12mm versions add Wichard’s self-locking system for increased protection against accidental pin loosening caused by vibration.

Choose the 8mm #1244 for compact applications with a 1,000kg Working Load, the 10mm #1245 for 1,520kg, the 12mm #1246 for 2,080kg, or the heavy-duty 16mm #1247 for a substantial 3,200kg nautical Working Load and 10,000kg Breaking Load. Remember that the 16mm version is not self-locking.

Choose the Wichard Bow Shackle Ω from Cavo Yachting when you need premium forged stainless-steel marine hardware, generous connection space and high load capacity.

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