Any issue replacing winch hook with a bow shackle?

[Mehrts]

As title states, is there anything bad about using a rated bow shackle instead of a hook on the end of synthetic winch rope?

I ask this, as I have had to use a shackle with the hook most of the time when winching anyway, so it eliminates one extra thing in the winching situation.

99% of the time I need to use either a tree protector strap or attach onto someones recovery point, so a shackle on its own should be all good (in my eyes).

Can I have the eye splice contacting the pin of the shackle directly (as this is nice and round/smooth) , or do I need a metal eye thimble to reduce wear on the rope?

[kbjj]

Use a bigger hook, easier, faster. Yes , use a thimble thingy, keeps the rope in its formed shape

Edit: Opps... I need to read properly, for some reason I assumed you had wire rope Sorry, carry on

[Mehrts]

I've already got a few shackles, but thought there's no point in buying a larger hook if I don't need one.

Hooks may be a little quicker to deal with, but I'm not worried if it takes an extra 10 seconds to rig everything up.

[Ralfie]

No issues, if that is want you want to do.
I have a shackle on mine and if I need a hook then can easily put hook on via shackle.
Shackle is not likely to slip, all fall off while winching like a hook can.

[4WDbits]

There are no safety issues using a rated shackle.

If you're using synthetic rope of some description, they usually require the diameter of the eye to be about 2.5 x the rope diameter to maintain strength.
We don't use a steel thimble on our rope (when fitted), just straight onto the hook, maillon or whatever we're using at the time.

[Mehrts]

Ok, thanks for that Warren. The diameter of the bow shackle pin that I'm using is over an inch in diameter for 10mm rope. It is alot larger that the pin on the hook that I've got, at a guess this will be around 10mm diameter, so pretty small.

It looks like a much nicer setup having a large rope eye radius going directly onto a smooth round pin which spreads the load onto the rope.