Just finished second Lake Michigan crossing within a week and sailing upwind in 15 kt. winds when snap and the mast folds over into the water. Coast guard tow to nearest port and muscling the mast on deck to motor the last leg home. I think a 20 cent keeper failed to retain the foreguy pin leading to extensive damage. Remember to check these @#$%^ things..
H28 dismasted
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Know the Feeling
Jack~
Soory for your mast, but I know the feeling myself. Long story, but same results. Must be a Wisconsin thing!
Jack~
Soory for your mast, but I know the feeling myself. Long story, but same results. Must be a Wisconsin thing!
Almost the same thing
Had almost the same thing happen to me offshore Destin, Fl. a few weeks ago. Lost a cotter pin, then the shackle pin, then the shackle, then the forestay. What a bummer. Luckily I didn't loose the mast, but it was touch and go for a while. Sorry you lost yours.
Had almost the same thing happen to me offshore Destin, Fl. a few weeks ago. Lost a cotter pin, then the shackle pin, then the shackle, then the forestay. What a bummer. Luckily I didn't loose the mast, but it was touch and go for a while. Sorry you lost yours.
Rigging Pins
Ive found on my boats that the clevis where it goes over the chain plates spreads under tension straightening the circular cotter pins with the possibility of losing them and the anchor pins. My solution was to use SS bolts and self locking nuts. I'm sure someone will have some reason you shouldn't do this but its worked for me for quite a few years with no problems.
Ive found on my boats that the clevis where it goes over the chain plates spreads under tension straightening the circular cotter pins with the possibility of losing them and the anchor pins. My solution was to use SS bolts and self locking nuts. I'm sure someone will have some reason you shouldn't do this but its worked for me for quite a few years with no problems.
clevis spread
I noticed that on my boat also, but wasn't sure if the clevis had opened up, or if it had always been that way. Took on channel lock pliers and pinched them straight. Looked like it was going to shear the ring ding right off. Now I check the pins every outing as part of my pre sail inspection.
I noticed that on my boat also, but wasn't sure if the clevis had opened up, or if it had always been that way. Took on channel lock pliers and pinched them straight. Looked like it was going to shear the ring ding right off. Now I check the pins every outing as part of my pre sail inspection.
I have wondered
about the ability of a cotter pin to keep the clevis from spreading, and eventually breaking/wearing the cotter pin. There is a lot of pressure on a forestay, with a big sail flying. When mine went I had a 170 out all the way on a 37 footer. Lots of sail. And expensive to repair the damaged parts. Has anyone tried using a stainless bolt and nut, with a cotter pin in the bolt backing up the not. Seems like this would take all the pressure off the cotter pin. Ray, I don't think I would ever trust one of the circular keepers. The material on them is quite a bit thinner than a real cotter pin.
about the ability of a cotter pin to keep the clevis from spreading, and eventually breaking/wearing the cotter pin. There is a lot of pressure on a forestay, with a big sail flying. When mine went I had a 170 out all the way on a 37 footer. Lots of sail. And expensive to repair the damaged parts. Has anyone tried using a stainless bolt and nut, with a cotter pin in the bolt backing up the not. Seems like this would take all the pressure off the cotter pin. Ray, I don't think I would ever trust one of the circular keepers. The material on them is quite a bit thinner than a real cotter pin.
SS bolts
when I size a bolt to use I always make sure the shoulder of the bolt is long enough so no threads are inside the clevis. I then measure the height of the nut and cut off the threads so there are only a couple of threads left exposed, these I file to eliminate sharp edges. Ray T
when I size a bolt to use I always make sure the shoulder of the bolt is long enough so no threads are inside the clevis. I then measure the height of the nut and cut off the threads so there are only a couple of threads left exposed, these I file to eliminate sharp edges. Ray T
I don't understand hou a properly aligned load on
a shackle will cause it to spread.The load shouls be a straight line pull from the line of the rigging cable to the line of the chain plate. Just like the drawbar clevis on a farm tractor. You put the pin in the clevis and a safety pin in to the clevis pin just to keep it from bouncing out.
If I spread a cotter 45 degrees it will have to shear off before it will fall out. It certainly won't straighten out .
a shackle will cause it to spread.The load shouls be a straight line pull from the line of the rigging cable to the line of the chain plate. Just like the drawbar clevis on a farm tractor. You put the pin in the clevis and a safety pin in to the clevis pin just to keep it from bouncing out.
If I spread a cotter 45 degrees it will have to shear off before it will fall out. It certainly won't straighten out .
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