Rue Clips - Anybody use these for shrouds and stay pins?

Feb 20, 2011
8,058
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
Spring steel, zinc plated.
As long as you keep an eye on them, maybe...
 
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Likes: Bob S
Jan 11, 2014
12,796
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
In freshwater in a short season, the spring steel wouldn't be much of an issue unless they were used for more than one season. In salt water? Nope.

They still have a couple of sharp points that stick out. That is the basis of the concern about stander cotter pins. And they have a loop just waiting to be caught and pulled out.

So, I guess that would be a no.
 

Bob S

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Sep 27, 2007
1,800
Beneteau 393 New Bedford, MA
This subject comes up every once in a while. Scar pins, Cotter pins, rings, and custom bent welding wire have come up before. Not sure why Dave recommends Scar pins for under 30' but I assume they aren't very robust. I have used a version of a scar pin, custom made using welding wire and Velcro on my boat for two seasons. I keep and eye on them as we step and unstep the mast every season. It makes it easier to adjust for stretch a few times during our sailing season. I use Ø.093 stainless welding wire which is pretty heavy and it's bent at a 90° and inserted long enough through the open body that it's impossible for it to turn any further.
If I left the mast stepped I would use an appropriate sized cotter pin because it only needs to be installed once correctly. They are a pain!
 
Jan 11, 2014
12,796
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
This subject comes up every once in a while. Scar pins, Cotter pins, rings, and custom bent welding wire have come up before. Not sure why Dave recommends Scar pins for under 30' but I assume they aren't very robust. I have used a version of a scar pin, custom made using welding wire and Velcro on my boat for two seasons. I keep and eye on them as we step and unstep the mast every season. It makes it easier to adjust for stretch a few times during our sailing season. I use Ø.093 stainless welding wire which is pretty heavy and it's bent at a 90° and inserted long enough through the open body that it's impossible for it to turn any further.
If I left the mast stepped I would use an appropriate sized cotter pin because it only needs to be installed once correctly. They are a pain!
Because I've never seen store bought scar pins that were large enough for the turnbuckles on a larger boat. ;)

There is no reason that someone could not fabricate their own.

I've also tried welding rod after watching the late Brion Toss demonstrate it in a video. It didn't work so well for me. I've gone back to cotter pins, they seem to work well enough for our short season.
 

Bob S

.
Sep 27, 2007
1,800
Beneteau 393 New Bedford, MA
I got the welding wire idea years ago from Roger Long. Anyone who's been hanging around this site for many years will remember him. I believe he was a Naval Architect. I wish we didn't loose the old pictures.