Guardwires question

[Boo2]

Hi,

I have had new guardwires made up with pelican hooks at the after ends as in the following pic :

The problem is that when The wires are under tension the pin in the pelican hook becomes very stiff. Undoing them is not too bad as I can just put a spike through the ring but they become impossible to secure in the closed position.

Is there anything I can do to ensure that the hook stays free whatever the wire tension ? Like grease the pin or something ? Alternatively, can someone kindly suggest another type of quick-release hook for the aft line ends ?

Thanks,

Boo2

 

[johnalison]

My pelican hooks are not under tension, but I oil or grease all my release pins regularly, including all the snap shackles.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

I have the type with the captive ring that locks the hooks together: -

http://www.gaelforcemarine.co.uk/en...tm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=UnitedKingdom

They operate easily under tension. On your type I would add a line to the split ring to help pull the pin.

 

[Daydream believer]

Do you really need the guard wires that tight? It only puts strain on the staunchions & push/pull pits

 

[Resolution]

Beware of trying to open them under really big tension - I did this and my ring pull straightened out, that meant the pin was shot out by its spring and an neat expensive little splash!

 

[GrahamM376]

Do you really need the guard wires that tight? It only puts strain on the staunchions & push/pull pits

+1

No need for them to be so tight.

 

[DavidMcMullan]

Try 'holding the pelican's beak closed tight with one hand', if you know what I mean, and then lift the pin.

 

[rivonia]

We attached a cord to the ring pull, with a loop on so it was easy to put the fingers in and pull it open. The safety wires should not be tight as it would be impossible to close them if too tight.

P.S. They are not "guard wires" by the way.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

"3.14
Pulpits, Stanchions, Lifelines
3.14.2
Lifeline deflection shall not exceed the following:
a)
When a deflecting force of 4 kg/f (39.2 N) is applied to a lifeline midway between supports of an upper or single lifeline, the lifeline shall not deflect more than 50mm. This measurement shall be taken at the widest span between supports that are aft of the mast.

b)
When a deflecting force of 4 kg/f (39.2 N) is applied midway between supports of an intermediate lifeline of all spans that are aft of the mast, deflection shall not exceed 120mm from a straight line between the stanchions. "

The above are from the ISAF Special Offshore Regulations for Category 2 Monohulls. In your case, judging from the photo and from your description I would guess that if you apply a 4 Kg push you'll hardly be able to deflect the lifelines by more than 20mm, let alone by 50mm!

I suggest that you slacken off until you are near to the ISAF requirement, even if you don't race.