On my Hunter 216 rigging I have replaced many of the Clevis pins with Ball-Lock Quick-Release pins...simply because I am a trailer sailor and fiddling with clevis pins and their cotter rings takes a lot of time. I have installed the Quick-Release pins where the shrouds attach to the chainplates and on the forestay. A friend in my club is concerned that they may not be strong enough (he said: "They are hollow!"). They may be hollow but my guess is that they are a tube with a rod sliding through the tube...meaning that they are "almost solid". But, now knowing how they are constructed, I am at a loss. Anybody have experience with strength issues when replacing Clevis pins with Quick Release pins?
Ball-Lock Quick-Release Pins: Are they strong enuf
- Thread starter Ranger Paul18580
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I'd be nervous
Why take the chance of losing the rig for want of a few extra min. rigging. Even if they do hold will you be able to get them out if they deform? Jeff
Why take the chance of losing the rig for want of a few extra min. rigging. Even if they do hold will you be able to get them out if they deform? Jeff
they work
I have used quick release pins on my boat for about ten yrs and do not have any problems. I use them all the time.
I have used quick release pins on my boat for about ten yrs and do not have any problems. I use them all the time.
I use them along with many others
The ones I use are about $20 a piece and you have to push a button in the end to retract the ball. If you have any doubt you could ask your dealer or Hunter but I'm sure they'll say it is fine. The only problems can happen if you have the ball fail to keep the pin from slipping out, so make sure that it is OK. I've seen some dealers the make these and other items avaialble as a kit for premium trailer packaging, but many don't want to pay the extra money for these bits and pieces.
The ones I use are about $20 a piece and you have to push a button in the end to retract the ball. If you have any doubt you could ask your dealer or Hunter but I'm sure they'll say it is fine. The only problems can happen if you have the ball fail to keep the pin from slipping out, so make sure that it is OK. I've seen some dealers the make these and other items avaialble as a kit for premium trailer packaging, but many don't want to pay the extra money for these bits and pieces.
some specs
Here's some specs on one brand of ball lock pin I've found online. If you are using them, I recommend checking for the specs first. Different materials have differentsafe load limits, but the right pin should work well. I use them at work for some heavy duty stuff and they work fine.
Here's some specs on one brand of ball lock pin I've found online. If you are using them, I recommend checking for the specs first. Different materials have differentsafe load limits, but the right pin should work well. I use them at work for some heavy duty stuff and they work fine.
Ball-Lock Pins
I used to use one for the forestay but I stopped. It's not worth the risk. A solid pin with ring takes 20 seconds to install/remove. They have their place but I don't recommend them for stays or shrouds. They can become corroded and the ball either not retract or stay retracted and either situation is a problem. I don't think there's a strength problem, just the risk of the thing coming out when you don't want it to.
I used to use one for the forestay but I stopped. It's not worth the risk. A solid pin with ring takes 20 seconds to install/remove. They have their place but I don't recommend them for stays or shrouds. They can become corroded and the ball either not retract or stay retracted and either situation is a problem. I don't think there's a strength problem, just the risk of the thing coming out when you don't want it to.
Ball Lock Pins
We used to have an H140. Since I'm not a munchkin we soon realized we had to something about the rings Hunter supplied for the side and fore stays. I looked at both quick release(ball) pins and hitch pins. I concur with the other responses that the stainless steel hitch pin is the way to go for reliability. Cut down our assembly and frustration time on land considerably. PaulH S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
We used to have an H140. Since I'm not a munchkin we soon realized we had to something about the rings Hunter supplied for the side and fore stays. I looked at both quick release(ball) pins and hitch pins. I concur with the other responses that the stainless steel hitch pin is the way to go for reliability. Cut down our assembly and frustration time on land considerably. PaulH S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
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