Ball Lock Pins

[Mel B]

Has anyone replaced the Mac26X pins and ring dings on the mast stays front and back with push button "Ball Lock Pins"? Is there any reason not to, like maybe the load on the small dia. pins?And thanks to everyone who answered my CDI furling question, the following link that someone gave was the best. I had problems with some other answers as there wasn't a Jib Halyard left on the boat to raise the mast using the "Mac Raising System", I had to use the Furling rig itself, then secure the mast in the upright position while disconnectiong the Furler to attach it to the deck tang.http://www.nisa.net/~harbro/lever.gif

 

[Timm Miller]

Don't

That type of pin is designed for a really close fitting......not for what the clevis pin and cotter ring do........ So, no........don't use them......asking for trouble.

 

[Mel]

Thanks Timm

That's good enough reason not to

 

[Bruce Cowin]

I agree

Mel,I wouldn't change to that type of pin, there's a chance it could pop out - and if so it will definatly be at the most inopportune time. And about raisng the mast using the furler - I removed my jib block & halyard, and now I use the main halyard with the mast raising system. That might save you an extra step or two and get you out on the water sooner.- Bruce

 

[Mel]

Thanks Bruce

I will give the main halyard a try in raising the mast. Don't know what happened to the jib halyard and block , didn't get it with the boat(I'm the 3rd owner)

 

[MArk]

Don't use the main halyard...

for anything but raising the mainsail on a 26X. The 26X has a fractional rig and you may bend the mast. See the 26X manual on the related link for a description of the optional mast raising system provided by MacGregor. It uses the jib halyard.Happy sails *_/),MArk

 

[Bruce Cowin]

I don't see that

Mark,I have a 1995 26S. I just read through the manual for the 26x, and it appears the procedure is the same for both models. I don't see any cautions or warnings about using the main halyard when there is no job halyard. Please let me know if it's there and I missed it. I have not had any problem with my mast bending or even looking like it might bend while raising it with the system. Maybe I'm lucky, cause I've read many of your postings and it sounds like you know what you're talking about. I'm just a rookie trying to offer advice based on what seems to be working on my boat So, please explain how the mast gets bent.Thanks,Bruce

 

[Mel]

Thanks Guys

I'm very new to the Mac26x, biggest I've sailed before was the two Hobbie 18's I had before moving up to the Mac. The Hobies were where I had good luck with the Kwik Lock(ball)pins in all the Stays without any trouble over the years.Guess I'll keep using the Furler to raise the mast(no Jib Halyard)until I find out different.Any help would be appreciated:mbechelb@gb.wave.net

 

[dan]

Mast Raising

Hi MelSecond owner here......Mast raising halyard is attached to the furlerhardware. Don't use the MAINSAIL halyard !The mast is not designed for the strain. dan

 

[MArk]

Bruce, never mind!

Bruce,Sorry for the confusion (and delayed response). Although the manual I linked to doesn't specifically mention not raising the mast by the main halyard, it does recommend using the jib halyard. Also, in the section on the mast raising system, it says the block and tackle connect to the jib halyard.The warning about breaking the mast is in the Special Safety Warnings section on page 3. It states: "DON'T PULL THE BOAT OVER ON IT'S SIDE USING THE MAIN HALYARD. If you have to tip the boat for maintenance or for other reason, use the jib halyard. Using the main halyard will break the mast."If the main halyard can break the mast with less than 120# (weight required at the jib halyard block to hold the boat over), I wouldn't trust it for raising the mast either.MArk