Anybody got any thought on the relative advantages/disadvantages in using a threaded quick link (see picture) or a bow shackle (see picture) to connect an anchor chain to the anchor. Most every anchor rigging I see pictures of uses a bow shackle but in my research I find that a similar 1/4" rod diameter quick link is break strength rated at 1980# while the similar shackle is working load rated at 300#. I realize these are different ratings but how are the two correlated? Just how much 'load' will a 5,000# boat develop on anchor? Wikipedia has this to say: "with a larger 'O' shape to the loop, this shackle can take loads from many directions without developing as much side load. However, the larger shape to the loop does reduce its overall strength." How important is 'side load' in the equation? In my application it may be very important because the distance of the pin between the shackle ends in inevitable going to be twice the width of the chain link diameter of 1/4" or the width of the connection point to the anchor which is also about 1/4" and the pin on the shackle is going to be susceptible to sliding from one side of the shackle to the other.
