Hello All, I trailer my 240 every weekend in the summer, which means i step the mast every time I go sailing. Is there an alternative to the circular type cotter pins that secure the clevis pins in the forestay attatchment and the mast pins? My wife really hates them (broken nails). wouldn't be a big deal if I didn't trailer so often. Thanks, Ross
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Tiny rings, fat fingers, & obsenities
Ross, I share the same complaint! I have already distorted a couple of those rings through frustration and now keep a box of different sizes in my "sea bag". During this past winter I have started looking through various catalogs that specialize in fittings, but have not found a solution. The only thing that I have found that works, is having my wife do it for me!
Ross, I share the same complaint! I have already distorted a couple of those rings through frustration and now keep a box of different sizes in my "sea bag". During this past winter I have started looking through various catalogs that specialize in fittings, but have not found a solution. The only thing that I have found that works, is having my wife do it for me!
Needle Nose Pliers work...
I found that a pair of needle nose pliers does wonders with those things. (Took a fair amount of salty language on my part before somebody handed me a pair of those...) Dave Crowley s/v Wind Dreamer
I found that a pair of needle nose pliers does wonders with those things. (Took a fair amount of salty language on my part before somebody handed me a pair of those...) Dave Crowley s/v Wind Dreamer
Tie a string
Tie a string on the pliers and tie the other end to the mast, rigging, whatever. If there was a sport for kicking tools in the water, I would be the No. 1 draft pick.
Tie a string on the pliers and tie the other end to the mast, rigging, whatever. If there was a sport for kicking tools in the water, I would be the No. 1 draft pick.
Larger pins
Buy a handfull in a larger size, which is easier to handle. Use the needlenose pliers to bend the interior end inward to give you some bite on the clivis without trying to split the ring. You'll be surprised how easy it then becomes to use these. The alternative name for these are "dammit pins," appropriately named.
Buy a handfull in a larger size, which is easier to handle. Use the needlenose pliers to bend the interior end inward to give you some bite on the clivis without trying to split the ring. You'll be surprised how easy it then becomes to use these. The alternative name for these are "dammit pins," appropriately named.
Screw 'em
Yep, screw 'em; that is with a wood screw. I read about this trick some time ago. Take a wood screw thats big enough to handle and small enough to start, and screw it between the rings so it seperates them. This will open the ring enough to put in the pin to start it. Now unscrew the screw and spin the ring on onto the pin.
Yep, screw 'em; that is with a wood screw. I read about this trick some time ago. Take a wood screw thats big enough to handle and small enough to start, and screw it between the rings so it seperates them. This will open the ring enough to put in the pin to start it. Now unscrew the screw and spin the ring on onto the pin.
High Cost Solution
If you want to go the expensive route, try the link below. Available at most of the chandeliers. Should work OK but ask around since I never used them. IF they do overboard you can sure they cost more than your rings.
If you want to go the expensive route, try the link below. Available at most of the chandeliers. Should work OK but ask around since I never used them. IF they do overboard you can sure they cost more than your rings.
Try this out
check this link for setup. I had a H19 and H260 and used this solution on both boats. The outer shackle keeps the inner one from spreading. BTW in the picture the pin is not seated all the way down while in actual use it is. Cheap solution. Jim S/V Java http://www.ayesail.net/sailing/SailboatMods/BoatSetup/pages/P1000096.htm
check this link for setup. I had a H19 and H260 and used this solution on both boats. The outer shackle keeps the inner one from spreading. BTW in the picture the pin is not seated all the way down while in actual use it is. Cheap solution. Jim S/V Java http://www.ayesail.net/sailing/SailboatMods/BoatSetup/pages/P1000096.htm
Use a paper clip...
I have never seen the pins work back out to the point of putting much pressure on the rings. So, the soft metal of a paper clip has not been a problem. Bend the outside end wide enough to slip through the hole in the pin, then rotate the clip until it locks through the inside. When you want to remove them, just open up the paper clip and pull it out. Throw it away and a use a new one next time. They may not look like official nautical gear, but they work and they're cheap.
I have never seen the pins work back out to the point of putting much pressure on the rings. So, the soft metal of a paper clip has not been a problem. Bend the outside end wide enough to slip through the hole in the pin, then rotate the clip until it locks through the inside. When you want to remove them, just open up the paper clip and pull it out. Throw it away and a use a new one next time. They may not look like official nautical gear, but they work and they're cheap.
Jeff D's solut
I bought a fast locking pin for my forestay for about $20 from West Marine. It was some of the best money I've spent for saving time. i like all the other neat ideas here too.
I bought a fast locking pin for my forestay for about $20 from West Marine. It was some of the best money I've spent for saving time. i like all the other neat ideas here too.
I use 1/4" bolt w/ self-locking nut.
The previous owner of Grizzly Bear used the quick-release push-pin on the forestay. I worried that it might release some time when I did not want it to. If it did, the whole she-bang comes down and the cost is large. I am quite content with my 'ugly' hardware store bolt and nut. A couple twists with pliers and I KNOW that it will stay there. Hoping for lots of wet spring snows to give us water to drink - and to sail upon - this summer. Jim
The previous owner of Grizzly Bear used the quick-release push-pin on the forestay. I worried that it might release some time when I did not want it to. If it did, the whole she-bang comes down and the cost is large. I am quite content with my 'ugly' hardware store bolt and nut. A couple twists with pliers and I KNOW that it will stay there. Hoping for lots of wet spring snows to give us water to drink - and to sail upon - this summer. Jim
I call them something else
I hate those little rings also (as does my wife). We call them 'Jesus clips' ( the beginning of what is muttered under our breath when installing one). We used to hold them open with a coin while installing them. Needless to say there has been several rings and a small amount of lose change deep sixed over the years. Bill O'Donovan has the right idea. I found an assortment of rings with the interior end bent inward. They go on in a flash and come back off just as fast. I bought 2 packs of them. I wouldn't recommend spring cotter pins. They are designed to hold when the hole they are inserted into is farther down the shaft the the width of the pin. This is seldom the case with sailboat hardware. Also they can be snatched out when snagged on something (clothing, rigging, shoe laces, etc). The second time I took my boat out I looked down to see that the spring cotter pin that the previous owner used to hold the fore stay pin was hooked on my shoe lace. I had snagged it while pulling up the anchor. After a quick prayer (starting with HOLY ..) I put the thing back in and bent it in place. I was lucky I noticed it before the mast fell.
I hate those little rings also (as does my wife). We call them 'Jesus clips' ( the beginning of what is muttered under our breath when installing one). We used to hold them open with a coin while installing them. Needless to say there has been several rings and a small amount of lose change deep sixed over the years. Bill O'Donovan has the right idea. I found an assortment of rings with the interior end bent inward. They go on in a flash and come back off just as fast. I bought 2 packs of them. I wouldn't recommend spring cotter pins. They are designed to hold when the hole they are inserted into is farther down the shaft the the width of the pin. This is seldom the case with sailboat hardware. Also they can be snatched out when snagged on something (clothing, rigging, shoe laces, etc). The second time I took my boat out I looked down to see that the spring cotter pin that the previous owner used to hold the fore stay pin was hooked on my shoe lace. I had snagged it while pulling up the anchor. After a quick prayer (starting with HOLY ..) I put the thing back in and bent it in place. I was lucky I noticed it before the mast fell.
Fast Pins or D ball pins
Removeing the circular rings can be difficult. I have yet to see anyone mention the split circular rings that are available. This is one solution. I am afraid of Jim Seamons' clip as I once put one in and had a line catch it and out it came. Luckily, I was holding onto the forestay on that one. The last item is a fast pin or D ball pin which is quick and simple. I suggest the push trigger style to release the ball at the end of the pin. However, I recommend that a tether line be attached to the head of the fast pin in the event the locking ball on the fast pin should fail. The tether will keep the fast pin from coming out. We replaced one mast because the locking ball failed and there was no tether line holding it in place.
Removeing the circular rings can be difficult. I have yet to see anyone mention the split circular rings that are available. This is one solution. I am afraid of Jim Seamons' clip as I once put one in and had a line catch it and out it came. Luckily, I was holding onto the forestay on that one. The last item is a fast pin or D ball pin which is quick and simple. I suggest the push trigger style to release the ball at the end of the pin. However, I recommend that a tether line be attached to the head of the fast pin in the event the locking ball on the fast pin should fail. The tether will keep the fast pin from coming out. We replaced one mast because the locking ball failed and there was no tether line holding it in place.
more on @!#*>!%^ little rings
What is the offical name of those rings anyway? I want to try the larger size as Bill suggested, but can't find them in any of the catalogs. In case you didn't know, I'm new at this..... thanks, Ross
What is the offical name of those rings anyway? I want to try the larger size as Bill suggested, but can't find them in any of the catalogs. In case you didn't know, I'm new at this..... thanks, Ross
Cotter rings...for Ross
Depending on size they come three to eight in a little plastic bag for about $3. Check the rigging section of the catalog. One more thing, some of the larger rings have larger wire diameter as well, so they may not fit through the hole in the turnbuckle. At those prices it's worth trying, or you could drill out the hole in the turnbuckle with a small bit. Go for it and good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
Depending on size they come three to eight in a little plastic bag for about $3. Check the rigging section of the catalog. One more thing, some of the larger rings have larger wire diameter as well, so they may not fit through the hole in the turnbuckle. At those prices it's worth trying, or you could drill out the hole in the turnbuckle with a small bit. Go for it and good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
Just found this
In my tackle box which I haven't opened in a few years. Cost $3.29 at the time and look like I can put them to use on those friggin cotter rings. Has holes for a lanyard too.
In my tackle box which I haven't opened in a few years. Cost $3.29 at the time and look like I can put them to use on those friggin cotter rings. Has holes for a lanyard too.
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