2 clevis pins overboard...there's got to be something easier

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Jul 18, 2010
51
'88 Macgregor 26D TN River
I starting to see a pattern developing that I am not happy with. My fat fingers vs that tiny clevis pin for the fore stay. So far the I've had 2 clevis pins leap to there freedom. So I'm wonder what you all use to make connecting and disconnecting the fore stay easier?

Thanks
Keith
 

Smithy

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Dec 13, 2010
162
Macgregor 22 Alexandria, VA
Re: 2 clevis pins overboard...there's got to be something ea

Snap Shackle.
 
Feb 20, 2011
8,062
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
Re: 2 clevis pins overboard...there's got to be something ea

To keep from losing them, maybe rig it on the hard?
 
Jul 18, 2010
51
'88 Macgregor 26D TN River
justsomeguy said:
To keep from losing them, maybe rig it on the hard?
Yea I know. But for some strange reason. The power companies here in TN like to string power lines across the ramps. The 3 closest to me are like that. Gonna take a look at some dirt ramps this week. Those are always exciting with any boat over 18'.

I do slide the mast back and bolt it in before backing down the ramp. At least that is done.
 

cscott

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Oct 18, 2007
188
Macgregor 26S - 1993 Aumsville, OR
Re: 2 clevis pins overboard...there's got to be something ea

Tie a small line such as fish leader on them.
 
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JRacer

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Aug 9, 2011
1,365
Beneteau 310 Cheney KS (Wichita)
On the J/24, we replaced the clevis pin and ring ding arrangement with a quick release pin with the push button to release the ball so the pin could be pulled. It has a ring on the push button end that you could tie a small line to and tie the other end to something fixed on the boat (prevents the clevis overboard drill). Our pin was long enough that even if the push button was inadverently pushed, the pin was not likely to come out of the hole on its own. Used it for years, never a problem.

See here down toward the bottom. Ours was the one with the D ring but that or the one with the hood will work.

http://www.apsltd.com/c-230-ClevisPinsQuickPinsRingDings.aspx
 
Sep 26, 2010
808
Macgregor 1993 26S Houston
Re: 2 clevis pins overboard...there's got to be something ea

The spring loaded quick pins have been the cause of more than one dismasting.
I Would stick to the solid pin. The rings can be a PITA but they work.
You could get one with a lanyard as suggested above, and use different keeper.
I guess I'm lucky, I'm still using the same pin and ring that came with my boat!
The Johnson levers are a popular substitute for quick tensioning but you still have to pin them.
Jim
 
Feb 20, 2011
8,062
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
Yea I know. But for some strange reason. The power companies here in TN like to string power lines across the ramps. The 3 closest to me are like that. Gonna take a look at some dirt ramps this week. Those are always exciting with any boat over 18'.

I do slide the mast back and bolt it in before backing down the ramp. At least that is done.
I've heard of doehunter's tale, dismastings and all. Yep, tie it somehow. Power...
 
Mar 2, 2011
489
Compac 14 Charleston, SC
hero4theday said:
Yea I know. But for some strange reason. The power companies here in TN like to string power lines across the ramps. The 3 closest to me are like that. Gonna take a look at some dirt ramps this week. Those are always exciting with any boat over 18'.

I do slide the mast back and bolt it in before backing down the ramp. At least that is done.
I think I'd be calling the power company and whoever runs that ramp and get them to reroute the overhead line before someone gets killed!
 
May 4, 2005
4,062
Macgregor 26d Ft Lauderdale, Fl
Re: 2 clevis pins overboard...there's got to be something ea

re: Quick Pins - Pull Ring with Push Button

I've used these on hobie 16. really fast and nice, But they DO Fail.

if you replaced them every year, probably OK, but expensive.


Self Bonding Rigging Tape is also great, but probably not practical for daily application.

another idea is shackles w/ captive pins...

my experience is, if you have spares for a part, you never need it.. so get some spares! ;)


- and ring dings can work off too.

if going into nasty weather its good idea to use self bonding tape. cotter pins are really the correct answer but they are too sharp.
 
Jun 4, 2006
133
Macgregor 26X Gray Hawk, KY
Bigger Clevis Pin

They do sell longer clevis pins. Get some that will fit your fat fingers. It would make the process a lot easier and still have the strength you want.

Good Luck

Ken
 

Timo42

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Mar 26, 2007
1,042
Venture 22 Marina del Rey
Re: 2 clevis pins overboard...there's got to be something ea

I use a Johnson lever, it has the quick release pin to hold it shut, while setting up, I use that through the clevis instead of the pin because it's tapered and has a big ring on it, easier to align. Once it's through, I back it half way out and fit the clevis pin through following it, using it as an alignment tool. Less likely to lose the pin because you aren't trying to do three things at once.
 
Jun 8, 2004
550
Macgregor 26M Delta, B.C. Canada 26M not X
Re: 2 clevis pins overboard...there's got to be something ea

Since over time the holes for the clevis pins wear larger, I bought the next size up but a longer version as well. This makes it easier to handle the little sucker and also makes it so that you can use something other than the ring ding to keep it from working its way out. I used a tiny D shackle instead of the ring ding on the end of the clevis pin.
 
May 7, 2006
249
Catalina 28 Mark 1 New Bern
I used a quick pin on my oday 222 last year and had my mast come down. Sick with the solid pin.
 
Jun 5, 2004
997
Macgregor 26D Boise
Wow I have pip pins all over my boat. Never a failure. The tension on my rigging keeps a lot of shear force on my pip pins, I could never move them under rig tension. Please explain how a pip pin can cause a dismasting.....????
 

JRacer

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Aug 9, 2011
1,365
Beneteau 310 Cheney KS (Wichita)
Wow I have pip pins all over my boat. Never a failure. The tension on my rigging keeps a lot of shear force on my pip pins, I could never move them under rig tension. Please explain how a pip pin can cause a dismasting.....????
Yep!

I've had them on the J24 for 20 years at least. We up and down the rig at least once a month (perhaps that's the key, ya gotta see it now and then). But there isn't a hope in hell that the push button pin in the fore-stay would come out on its own. Maybe if I ram a competitor with the pointy end the button might get pushed, but generally when that happens, I am on starboard and insurance is the arbitor! Otherwise, it saves time on the way to the crane for removing the rig for trailering. If you are "goosey" about it, well I guess that's your nature. That's not my experience.
 
May 4, 2005
4,062
Macgregor 26d Ft Lauderdale, Fl
Wow I have pip pins all over my boat. Never a failure. The tension on my rigging keeps a lot of shear force on my pip pins, I could never move them under rig tension. Please explain how a pip pin can cause a dismasting.....????

(I believe) The spring inside the push pin fails and the ball compresses, due to corrosion, fatigue, or whatever. but they aren't locking any longer. (on my old Hobie 16)

might not be as big an issue on fresh water, and dry states.

-I remember reading a blog on the conch cruiser's site, and (IIRC) Chip Hines (I think his boat was wild hair? a older M25). he was coming back from dry tortugas and had his fore stay ring ding come loose in the open ocean. and he wrestled the forstay and rig back up in 3-5' seas... (strong guy).

I'd use that self bonding tape when going into the ocean. or on a long rough trip. ( I used tape on my pins w/ the hobie )

edit: the quick release pins I used were not actually used very often. they were quick release pins for the shrouds, that allowed the mast to lean over another 3' to help with single hand righting (vs the water bag method). the system was only used when I'd flip the boat single handing. which didn't happen too often after the 1st year... so maybe better maintenance would help.

but I think its a risk...
 
Jan 2, 2011
51
oday 1975 oday 27 hampton,va
Re: 2 clevis pins overboard...there's got to be something ea

i use a 1/4 inch bolt and nut that is longer than needed so i have some room to grip it. it is easily replacable so i use grade 8 and dont worry with the corrosion since i trailer sail.
 
Jan 22, 2008
423
Catalina 30 Mandeville, La.
Re: 2 clevis pins overboard...there's got to be something ea

I've used quick pins for most of the 16 years I've had my H23.5. I use the type without the release button. It has just a spring loaded ball to lock in place. There is a lot of tension on my fractional rig that it doesn't budge and I can tie a small line to the ring.
 
Jul 18, 2010
51
'88 Macgregor 26D TN River
Hmmm. Lots of suggestions. Thanks guys. I need to go and put my hands on some of these and see what I think. I'll post what I decide on. Thanks again.
 
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