Forestay to bowplate connection hardware

[yelkenli]

On my docks, I see the forestay connected to the bow with a clevis pin, mostly.

On my C27, I have what is in the pictures. The shank is smooth like a clevis pin. The ends are locking nuts.

Has anyone seen this set up before? Should I look for a suitable clevis pin? I don't see anything in the owner's manual or the internet, though could have missed it.

 

[dLj]

Why would you go to a clevis pin? This is a much better setup as long as the smooth pin section goes all the way across all fitting surfaces. If you know what I mean. I have actually removed clevis pins and gone to a similar setup for greater security.

dj

 

[jssailem]

A clevis pin is the preferred fastener.

“A bolt can function as a clevis pin, but a bolt is not intended to take the lateral stress that a clevis pin must handle. Normal bolts are manufactured to handle tension loads, whereas clevis pins and bolts are designed to withstand shearing forces. The sheering strength of a threaded bolt is determined by its inner thread diameter.”​

While sailors are resourceful in fixing problems, and bolts are often handy, it would be a temporary solution. The threads will wear on the more expensive part ( the tang plates or the clevis) changing the pin hole diameter/damaging the clevis. The threads on a bolt are not designed to carry the stresses of the clevis. They are not supported and will wear down to the bolt core. There is a possibility the bolt could fracture.

good luck.

 

[Davidasailor26]

A clevis pin is the preferred fastener.

​

“A bolt can function as a clevis pin, but a bolt is not intended to take the lateral stress that a clevis pin must handle. Normal bolts are manufactured to handle tension loads, whereas clevis pins and bolts are designed to withstand shearing forces. The sheering strength of a threaded bolt is determined by its inner thread diameter.”​

While sailors are resourceful in fixing problems, and bolts are often handy, it would be a temporary solution. The threads will wear on the more expensive part ( the tang plates or the clevis) changing the pin hole diameter/damaging the clevis. The threads on a bolt are not designed to carry the stresses of the clevis. They are not supported and will wear down to the bolt core. There is a possibility the bolt could fracture.

good luck.

I’d agree, but the OP said the shank of this fastener is smooth. At a minimum that removes any concerns about the threads wearing on the other components. It also suggests this may be a specialized piece that’s better designed to handle the shear loads than a normal bolt would.

 

[yelkenli]

It also suggests this may be a specialized piece that’s better designed to handle the shear loads than a normal bolt would.

I was thinking the same, but I do not know the fastener's origin. And come to think of it, I am not sure how old it is.

 

[Joe]

A clevis pin to secure a marine eye to a fork that could also have a turnbuckle in the sequence. Hard to tell anything with only the closeup shot. Those look like tangs (flat SS bar) for a furling drum unit...if so that would explain a lot. Aftermarket installations often call for some creative solutions ... this looks like one of them. If it's working, and feels safe. don't worry about it.
Sailboats rarely stay unmodified after an owner finds out that keeping it stock is not going to enhance value.

 

[dLj]

A clevis pin is the preferred fastener.

​

“A bolt can function as a clevis pin, but a bolt is not intended to take the lateral stress that a clevis pin must handle. Normal bolts are manufactured to handle tension loads, whereas clevis pins and bolts are designed to withstand shearing forces. The sheering strength of a threaded bolt is determined by its inner thread diameter.”​

While sailors are resourceful in fixing problems, and bolts are often handy, it would be a temporary solution. The threads will wear on the more expensive part ( the tang plates or the clevis) changing the pin hole diameter/damaging the clevis. The threads on a bolt are not designed to carry the stresses of the clevis. They are not supported and will wear down to the bolt core. There is a possibility the bolt could fracture.

good luck.

This comment applies to threaded fasteners where the threaded region is used for the structural support. Not the case in the fastener shown, as long as that smooth section does in fact extend throughout the entire structural connection, which cannot be fully known just from the photos provided, this fastener is actually superior to a standard clevis pin

It is likely a custom fastener. It would likely be hard to replace. The question of how old it is is a good one. Worth investigating. However to do that well, you would have to pull that pin off. If it were my boat and I was concerned, i'd build a replacement piece then take that fastener out and replace. I'd then inspect and either throw the original out or keep it as a back-up.

My concern with going to a standard clevis pin is the notable space side-to-side visible inside that connector. If going to a clevis pin, I would add in washers to keep all the components both centered and removing as much lateral movement as reasonable.

dj

 

[JBP-PA]

It is not unusual at all for roller furlers to use a different kind of pin for the forestay and link plates, exactly like you have. It is not a normal bolt but designed for this purpose. Next time you pull your mast, inspect it. If it is undamaged there is no need to replace it.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I had a bolt on my gooseneck. I was shocked at how quickly it wore through in just two seasons. I'd go with a pin for rigging