Shroud pins

I am looking for a clevis pin that is quicker than a standard with a ringding. I have seen the Attwood spring loaded with tether that looks like it would be perfect for what I want, but it is really just made for a cheap bimini. I cannot see what the problem would be. It is stainless (no idea what type) and 1/4 inch. But I would rather find something like it that is made to hold up something like the mast on a 16. I have been looking around and have had little luck. The quick pull type are hollow and I do not trust them. Would anyone trust the cotterless? I have not seen one with a tether, but I could easily fabricate one. I liked the Attwood because it looks like it has a nice lock in place mechanism. I am nervous about trying something like that on my shroud.

Just taught a learn to sail class and one boat had this type clevis pin which came out on the water. If your going to use them pull the shroud cover down or put duck tape on to hold them in place. The rings are a pain but have been around a long time. Good luck!

best to use rigging tape, not duck tape

Us rednecks don't have any rigging tape! The duck tape works just fine thank you very much.

use what ever you want but duck tape leaves sticky residue and down here in florida sun it will melt and get all over the place.

Enjoy!

hold up the mast? I assume you mean to pin the forestay to the bridal chainplate - you can use a spring loaded quick pin - i have never seen one break or fail and they make them in any size you could need on a beach cat


be careful not to leave it pinned (to anything) during storage as they have a history of becoming frozen/seized after a prolonged storage.

I have seen many people trying to get a pin out (with hammers, blaster rust remover, hacksaw) on the beach because it has frozen and preventing them from rigging.

Also i suggest you never use a quick pin on a brass clew plate or any brass / softer metal. I had one pinning my TheMightyHobie18 boom to the sail clew plate and it wormed its way out of the clew plate (at the worst possible place and time - as i was in a storm trying to tack away from a drawbridge)

they also make ringdings that are supposed to be easier to put on. I don't care for them as they are not easier to remove, and they get bent out of shape much easier than the standard ring




PS I would avoid Attwood products - they are the cheapest possible construction and materials ... go for a high quality part if it's supporting a critical part

Completely agree... don't use quick pins anywhere that is critical to holding up the mast.

Tape ones that are not needed for removal and possibly tape the removable ones too. Losing a shroud is no fun and can cause extensive damage let alone get you stuck on the water.

We don't use "Duct" tape because it leaves residue and fiber cloth remnants.

We commonly use electrical tape... works great.

Electrical tape also doesn't work here in florida sun/heat
that melts the glue and it will smear all over the boat and crew

IF you use electrical tape, i suggest you use the white - seems to melt/smear less

I don't think that i did say that, but I 100% agree
I see people use them on shrouds and can't help but think at some point that is gonna end poorly

any little kid (or crew) could touch/play/pull and drop a mast on a person or property

Hilarious. Thanks for the advice. I agree with the tape. It gets all over everything. And I agree with you MN3, Attwood stuff sucks, but I have not found an alternative quality product. But I think everyone has scared me out of trying something quick. It is not that big of a deal to take out two shroud pins when I take the mast down. But every little bit helps. When I first got the boat, it took 45 minutes to take it down from water to driving. I have it down to 10 minutes now. That's fine, but even easier is fine too.

It's 45 min (at best) to an hour for me to rig, make that almost 2 hours if I didn't leave my spin in the bag and need to fully rig that.

One forestay pin right? Why would you remove the pins in the shrouds? I would leave everything attached. Unpin just the forestay.

We tape everything at major events... in hot climates... residue is not a big deal, but we don't leave them taped for months-on-end either. Also, you should also have boots over the adjusters and pins.

With regard to Electrical tape. I've found the 3M products to be much better than the house brands at Home Depot/Lowes. Nothing seems to be perfectly residue free, but the 3M white is the best I've found.

Edit - Scotch brand -

For pins on shrouds use Ronstan toggle pin ... Rf115
Web address
http://www.ronstan.com.au/marine5/product.asp?prodno=RF115x1/2

Matt

Just purchased some "Sail Tape" from a local outfitter. Got home and it's white electrical tape. Works great!

Tape ones that are not needed for removal and possibly tape the removable ones too. Losing a shroud is no fun and can cause extensive damage let alone get you stuck on the water.

We don't use "Duct" tape because it leaves residue and fiber cloth remnants.

I've always taped my rings, all of them, including the one holding the lower main block to the traveler car. It's too easy for a line to catch on one and pull it out. I use rigging tape for all of the reasons mentioned above.

I have seen at least one top racer use dual quick pins in each of his side shrouds. His theory was that he could safely make adjustments on the water (leapfrog them over one another to raise/lower the shroud).

I used to use a quick pin on my Hotstick, until the little ball froze in place (as mentioned above). Ever since, I just use a cotter pin and tape it. I rarely remove it from the crossbar anyways.

Mike

My friends mast fell down from a quick pin falling out. Why are you removing the side shrouds anyway? Coil them with alternating loops tuck them under the hiking strap and tie them with the jib traveler lines. I used to trailer into fleet races and could go from trailer to rigged in 15 min while drinking a beer.