Just bought a 1973 O'Day Widgeon and I already hate the clevis pins that attach the stays. I really don't like dealing with those rings (like a key ring) that hold the pins in. I will most likely be trailering the boat quite a bit, which means fighting with them constantly. Any chance there's a quicker, easier option for those?
Clevis Pins
- Thread starter Kyle Partain
- Start date
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The holes in the fork end have to be a good fit to the pin because the little ball retainer doesn't protrude very much..
Ring dings are the most common. Still fiddly but easier than what you pictured. Cotter pins are easy and secure, too.
Quick release pins make me nervous in this application. If it comes out your mast comes down.
Quick release pins make me nervous in this application. If it comes out your mast comes down.
I also hate those little rings. We use hairpin cotter pins, simple and cheap. Go through the clevis in place of the ring. Many sizes available, and I just buy the zinc plated ones, being a known cheapskate.
Those are often called "hitch pins" (As in Trailer Hitch). I use them on the lower end of the pintles on my Nacra... when inserted they are horizontal and clear from any potential snagging. On deck, however, I would be reluctant to use them to secure my rig... They just stick out too much. I would be more inclined to use a "push button pin" such as the one I've pictured. There's a small hole in the collar for a thin wire security lanyard. I use this type of pin for the forestay adjuster/connector. WM sells them for $9.
Well, Grainger and other industrial sources call them hairpin cotter pins. Here are various hitch pins, sometimes secured with a hairpin cotter:Those are often called "hitch pins" (As in Trailer Hitch). I use them on the lower end of the pintles on my Nacra... when inserted they are horizontal and clear from any potential snagging. On deck, however, I would be reluctant to use them to secure my rig... They just stick out too much. I would be more inclined to use a "push button pin" such as the one I've pictured. There's a small hole in the collar for a thin wire security lanyard. I use this type of pin for the forestay adjuster/connector. WM sells them for $9.
I have used those push button pins and simply don't trust them. I have the hairpin cotters at deck level and have never snagged, kicked out or lost one.
You could change to a split ring with tail, sometimes also called cotter ring. Much easier to insert and remove.
Something like this
I had replaced some of mine with this kind. But then I was advised by some more experienced sailors that they weren't secure enough for standing rigging, so I switched to the kind @Hunter216 showed. They're a pain in the neck with my far-sighted eyes, but they don't come out by accident.
You could abandon the pins, fit bow shackles to chain plate and shroud ends (requires some reworking of 'adjusters' on shroud ends) and tension the rigging with line (sometimes called rope.). I use paracord but dyneema would probably be better. This works well. I can now do the rigging and de-rigging in the dark or with frozen fingers, or after a couple of beers.