Hi all, I was wondering if anyone uses quick release pins on the forward lines to make raising and lowering the mast easier. If so, what kind would be best?
Thanks,
Andrew
Thanks,
Andrew
Quick release pins
- Thread starter Harleyreef
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Hi Ken, sorry I don't have any pictures, but I was referring to the forestay and the (2) forward lower shrouds that have to be disconnected when lowering the mast for trailering. I was looking for something easier than fighting the standard pins and cotter pins.
I use a quick release shroud lever on the forestay of my Catalina 22 and quick release pins on the forestay and shrouds. No problems.
I won't use them anymore. I had the whole rig come down on my Hobie 16 due to a pin coming out. Damn near killed my new wife. I liked her back then.... Just kidding Honey!
Jay
Jay
My concern has been that they are hollow, so they won't be as strong as a solid pin. The time is not that critical to me over that warm fuzzy feeling knowing a pin is secured.
Don
Don
When I was trailering, I used 1/4" lynch pins, the kind like you would secure the hitch to the ball with. And yes I know that they are not stainless. But at a couple of dollars apiece, I could throw them away every trip and win. However, they tend to last for a season. And solid steel. 6 bucks. A no brainer..
Initially I was considering the quick release bimini type pins with the springs on the pin body and swing latch on the end. Those come in stainless and are solid. Any ideas or experience with these type pins?
I splurged and bought three Catalina Direct D1844 quick release levers for the forestay and forward lower shrouds. Since I'm a trailer sailor, I want rigging and derigging to go as fast as possible. I got @#$% tired of dropping small cotter keys and tearing up my fingers with the circular wire cotter keys on the clevis pins and having to turn turnbuckles each time I raised or lowered the mast. They were pricey but worth every penny. I started using "R" keys in place of cotter pins on the clevis pins that hold them to the chain plates and it is so much easier to pin everything in place, push the lever down, lock it in place with it's pin, put the Sunbrella cover over it and go sailing. My standing rigging stays "pre tensioned" this way and I save all kinds of time and profanity.
These toggle pins worked great for me, but I learned a $20 lesson this past winter. Towing the boat home for repairs, I left the pins in the deck fittings, not realizing that the vibrations would OF COURSE wiggle the little rotating tab to its longitudinal position and then back out of the fitting, and "doink" pop out on the road somewhere. 
I was kinda grumpy at the West Marine guy (not his fault) when I found out how much the replacements cost. Dumb me. Anybody got a twenty I can borrow? :cussing:
Has anyone had any of these type wiggle out with shrouds attached?
Stan
I was kinda grumpy at the West Marine guy (not his fault) when I found out how much the replacements cost. Dumb me. Anybody got a twenty I can borrow? :cussing:
Has anyone had any of these type wiggle out with shrouds attached?
Stan
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I use the ball-loc quick pins, forward stays, forestay and tiller. All have six inch lanyards that keep them attached.. Started using them around 2002, still working great..
The one on the tiller allows the tiller to be removed quickly when entertaining.
The one on the tiller allows the tiller to be removed quickly when entertaining.
...had I only known... For twenty bucks I could have hired a small mammal to ride on deck and hold them... :dance:
Stan
Stan, did the spring not hold enough pressure to keep the latch from rotating? Those are the pins I was thinking of trying except the type that has the ring on the end opposite the latch. I figured I could attach it with a small lanyard.
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