Replace Forestay Shackle with Clip

StinkBug · Feb 21, 2014

Well first thing is strength rating. If the clip is as strong as the shackle then you're ok there. The other problem is making sure it stays locked. The last thing you want is flapping sails to shake the rig and have that thing unhook and let everything fall. I would not use the style of snap hook you have pictured for that purpose. It's too easy for that little safety to fail and some serious bad day to ensue. My Mac uses a shackle with a captive pin that doesn't screw in, you just push it through the hole and turn it 1/4 turn. I've never had a problem getting it in by myself, and it's much safer than that hook.

Brian S · Feb 21, 2014

That gated clip you have there will be more difficult, I should think. You will need more slack in the headstay than the distance from the opening to the deepest part of the clip, in order to hold the clip to the side and through the hole in the stemhead fitting. Also, the clip might not fit into the stemhead fitting hole.

Of course, it depends on the boat. I have a GP14 that uses a wire luff genoa. Once tensioned, the wire luff becomes the effective forestay, and the actual forestay hangs loose. In fact most GP14 forestays are tied to the stemhead fitting with a length of cord. Its sole purpose is to hold the mast up before you get the genoa hoisted and halyard properly tensioned. (Unless you were sailing with just the main.)

On my other small boat, the forestay is attached to the stemhead fitting - and rig tensioned - by means of a turnbuckle. I temporarily put the 4:1 vang in line with the jib halyard attached to the stemhead fitting in order to pull enough slack on the shrouds to get the fork of the turnbuckle attached to the stemhead fitting. This attachment is by means of a clevis pin with ring ding. I don't trust quick pins or improperly fitted drop nose pins for this - if the jib is flogging, I don't want any chance of that pin coming out causing a dismasting.

caguy · Feb 21, 2014

QCI said:
When raising the mast and attaching the forestay to the bow, it takes more than two hands use a shackle to attach it (difficult for one person). I would like to incorporate a clip instead, so I can use one hand to attach the forestay to bow.

Sailboat is a small 15 foot American Sail Racer. Any thoughts? Do i really need to use a shackle? Pic of Clip and Shackle is attached.

Thanks.

Can you use your halyard attached to your bow to hold and pull the mast forward so that it frees up your hands to use the shackle?

Joe · Feb 21, 2014

No, don't use the clip... you'll hate it.. anyhow the shackle should be on the boat, with the pin going through the terminal on the stay.... so... tape the shackle to hold it in position.. then bring the terminal down to the opening with one hand and insert the pin with the other.

But if you really want to be cool in the parking lot.......

You need a stay adjuster:

with a fast pin:

The adjuster is left attached to the stay... the fast pin connects the adjuster to the stemhead. You hold the stay by the adjuster with the left hand, pull it into position and insert the pin with the right hand. You can go one better with this lever action quick release stay adjuster... makes it easier to insert the anchoring pin with little tension.

Tom G P-21 · Feb 21, 2014

Best thing would be toggle pin or drop nose pin

You make sure you get the right size and the spring keeps the tension on it so it doesn't come out. When I researched this 2 years ago this seemed like the best solution to ease of use and security. From what I read fast pins are not recommended on standing rigging because they might slip out. Also toggle pins are available right here at their store. For some reason its under electrical because of toggle being in the name.

http://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?17587/Toggle Pins

Joe · Feb 22, 2014

I've never heard of a fast pin, or a push pin slipping out unless it was improperly sized... which is practically impossible.. since it won't work unless it is properly sized. I've used a fast pin on my NACRA forestay with no mishaps for many years.

higgs · Feb 22, 2014

Friend has a push pin holding his back stay on his CS 30 and it has presented no problems for years.

JerryA · Feb 23, 2014

Joe said:
No, don't use the clip... you'll hate it.. anyhow the shackle should be on the boat, with the pin going through the terminal on the stay.... so... tape the shackle to hold it in position.. then bring the terminal down to the opening with one hand and insert the pin with the other.

But if you really want to be cool in the parking lot.......

You need a stay adjuster:

with a fast pin:

The adjuster is left attached to the stay... the fast pin connects the adjuster to the stemhead. You hold the stay by the adjuster with the left hand, pull it into position and insert the pin with the right hand. You can go one better with this lever action quick release stay adjuster... makes it easier to insert the anchoring pin with little tension.

The lever action would be good if you have the room. Using a halyard to pull the mast forward helps too. Some Shrochs have a lever attached to deck making it easier to get the leverage you need. Look at their 23 foot.

MrBill_FLL · Feb 25, 2014

they do make captive pin shackles (only a little more $)

I've used the fast pins and the push button types. (hobie) they tend to freeze up after a while.

no trouble loosing the rig... but you might not be able to get that pin in one day...

Joe · Feb 25, 2014

JerryA said:
The lever action would be good if you have the room. Using a halyard to pull the mast forward helps too. Some Shrochs have a lever attached to deck making it easier to get the leverage you need. Look at their 23 foot.

The adjuster is not so much for pulling the wire forward but rather for allowing quick rake adjustments.

WayneH · Feb 26, 2014

Here's a Johnson Lever on a 16 foot daysailer.

I've raised the mast with its swept back spreaders. Notice how many fingers I am using to hold the lever half closed. It was fairly easy to install the lower pin and its ring ding while holding the forestay forward.

Once you closed the Johnson Lever, the keeper pin was needed to keep the lever closed. If I bought another daysailer this would be the first improvement I would make to it.

StinkBug · Feb 26, 2014

QCI said:
I ended up using Fishing Tackle to attach the pin to the shackle. Leader line with a swivel. See pic. I will use the clip that I mentioned for another job.
Thanks for the help.

That's a pretty simple and slick solution. Like someone mentioned there are captive pin versions of that same shackle though. Do a search on Ebay and you'll find them for under $5. I've bought a ton of stuff from a place going by baronusallcbarongroup on ebay. All good quality at a fraction of the price of WM.

caguy · Feb 26, 2014

These also work well. used quite a few on the Mac 25. I drilled a small hole in the flange for a tether.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...10001&storeId=11151&productId=99926&langId=-1

MrBill_FLL · Feb 27, 2014

caguy, lube it regularly.

it will freeze up over time. or mine did on the hobie 16 I use to own...

caguy · Feb 27, 2014

MrBill_FLL said:
caguy, lube it regularly.

it will freeze up over time. or mine did on the hobie 16 I use to own...

Never had that problem, but then I use Silicon spray on everything. I used to like them because I hated messing with those ring dings, I swear they are made for left handed people.

Fred Villiard · Feb 27, 2014

Hey Caguy, we're right it is the rest of the world that is wrong.

WayneH · Feb 27, 2014

If the left side of your brain controls the right side of your body, doesn't that mean that only left handed people are in their right minds?

;D

caguy · Feb 27, 2014

Fred Villiard said:
Hey Caguy, we're right it is the rest of the world that is wrong.

Honestly I would not want to be left handed in this right handed world.

Replace Forestay Shackle with Clip

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