It's important to check the split pins ...

[KenMcCulloch]

... in your standing rigging. When a passing forumite pointed out a missing split pin in the forestay fitting to me this afternoon I had to pretend it had been removed for inspection as part of my maintenance programme. It was definitely there the last time I actually inspected the security of the standing rigging but that was a week or three ago. How it can have worked its way out is a bit of a mystery but there you go. A lesson for everyone.

 

[Ubergeekian]

... in your standing rigging. When a passing forumite pointed out a missing split pin in the forestay fitting to me this afternoon I had to pretend it had been removed for inspection as part of my maintenance programme. It was definitely there the last time I actually inspected the security of the standing rigging but that was a week or three ago. How it can have worked its way out is a bit of a mystery but there you go. A lesson for everyone.

A ring disappeared out of one of the shrouds on the Jouster (no reasonable offer refused) over seven days this summer. Boy, are the people wanting my berth in Kirkcudbright Marina to come free getting desperate.

 

[upthesolent]

I concur Ken.

This summer, the boat moored on the pontoon behind me pointed out that not only was the ring clip missing on my back stay, but the pin was halfway out and only just holding the stay.

The chap gave me a spare split pin as I had none and I then immediately wound tape round the fitting to stop any further losses!

 

[Kelpie]

During a rather gnarly dinghy race this year (F5-6 stuff) I was up front watching the genoa luff on a beat, when suddenly the forestay became a big curve- a glance over my shoulder and the windward shroud was dangling free. Cue the loudest scream of "TACK" you've ever heard. The mast had curved over to an alarming amount- luckily the helmsman had just fully dumped the mainsheet; I did likewise with the genoa and as we lurched through the tack the mast poinged upright again. Managed to secure the spinny halyard as a temporary stay and then downed all sail whilst a helpful yacht came over to lend a tow. No harm done, except pride and race position!
Turned out the split ring had worked it's way out. Unbelievably, the clevis pin was still sitting on the side-deck. Weird.

What made the incident scarier was than just a month earlier, a friend in an identical boat had lost his mast during a day-sail in similar circumstances: lost pin led to loose shroud, but in his case the mast snapped at deck-level. And he was off the west coast of the island in a 12ft swell, which made securing the rig and getting a tow line secured a bit more interesting!

 

[prv]

One of my main peak halyard blocks came unstuck a month or so ago. The shackle actually landed on my head, and the pin fell through the hatch and was found on the cabin sole. Complete mystery, as I'm sure I wired all the shackles aloft.

Fortunately my rig has few single points of failure; the other peak halyard block took up the slack and I just needed to tweak the halyard a bit tighter till we got in.

Pete

 

[DanTribe]

During a regatta I once competed in, one skipper was suspected of dropping spare split pins on his rivals deck. The idea was to un-nerve the opposition and perhaps prevent them racing flat out.

 

[Chrissie]

The ends of the split pin should not be bent at more than a 45 degree angle, doing so actually damages/stresses the metal and they can and do just snap!
I frequently see them curled right round, an accident waiting to happen.

 

[Haven't-a-Clue]

The ends of the split pin should not be bent at more than a 45 degree angle, doing so actually damages/stresses the metal and they can and do just snap!
I frequently see them curled right round, an accident waiting to happen.

May one politely suggest that Sir does not apply this method to the castellated nut of a stub axle, as one has seen the results of incorrect fixation when not "curled right round" as Sir has pontificated.
Of course, one has not the experience in nautical situations and stands humbly ready to be corrected, should one's advice be inapplicable.

 

[Norman_E]

The ends of the split pin should not be bent at more than a 45 degree angle, doing so actually damages/stresses the metal and they can and do just snap!
I frequently see them curled right round, an accident waiting to happen.

Actually bending the ends round in a smooth curve is safer than putting sharp bends into the split pin where it emerges from the hole.

The worst I had was a split pin that was sheared off leaving a piece behind in the cross hole in the boom pivot pin, which almost pulled out under halyard tension, after the nut on the bottom of the pin came off. On investigation I found that an undersized split pin had been used because the washer under the mast fitting was too thick, and boom movement had unscrewed the nut, effectively sawing through the split pin.

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

I too have had pins mysteriously disappear but even scarier is that hang-glider's rigging is held together with the same kit.

 

[Chrissie]

Actually bending the ends round in a smooth curve is safer than putting sharp bends into the split pin where it emerges from the hole.

The worst I had was a split pin that was sheared off leaving a piece behind in the cross hole in the boom pivot pin, which almost pulled out under halyard tension, after the nut on the bottom of the pin came off. On investigation I found that an undersized split pin had been used because the washer under the mast fitting was too thick, and boom movement had unscrewed the nut, effectively sawing through the split pin.

Exactly, no sharp bends of more than 45 degrees, but I think you explained it better,

 

[ytd]

The ends of the split pin should not be bent at more than a 45 degree angle, doing so actually damages/stresses the metal and they can and do just snap!
I frequently see them curled right round, an accident waiting to happen.

I think they come out because they have only been bent to 45 deg. I have recovering 2 split pins from the deck - both of which had been straightened. Inspecting the others, some were almost straight and ready to drop out.

I have bent all split pins to 90 deg and taped them. My theory is that in a seaway the clevis pin gradually rotates until the heaviest part of the split pin faces down. Further vibration through the shroud gradually straightens the pin as it falls through the clevis pin hole and allows it to drop out. The pins themselves are made from a soft metal and unless bent to a reasonable angle to allow some work hardening, can be easily straightened by shroud vibration.

Until I see a broken pin on the deck I'll continue to ignore the 45 deg missive.

 

[prv]

I too have had pins mysteriously disappear but even scarier is that hang-glider's rigging is held together with the same kit.

Not just hang gliders - for a little while after retiring from the RAF, my dad went "back to the shop floor" spannering on light aircraft at a local farm strip. Apparently the bottle screws on Kindred Spirit's rigging are just like the ones that tension the flying control cables on a Twin Commanche.

Pete

 

[Even Chance]

A pin on my cap shrouds was missing this year when I dropped the mast. I was sure I put one in it at the start of the season. Its not the type of thing you overlook. I will be checking them very regularly next season!!

 

[Twister_Ken]

Apropos 45º - I've always curved them right the way back, and never knowingly lost one yet.

 

[awol]

... in your standing rigging. When a passing forumite pointed out a missing split pin in the forestay fitting to me this afternoon I had to pretend it had been removed for inspection as part of my maintenance programme. It was definitely there the last time I actually inspected the security of the standing rigging but that was a week or three ago. How it can have worked its way out is a bit of a mystery but there you go. A lesson for everyone.

I feel for your loss of what must have been fast approaching a family heirloom. To lose a split pin that had only been used 4 or 5 times must indeed be galling.

I am surprised that your suspicions did not immediately fall on the passing forumite - how did he know where to look if he wasn't implicated in the pin's removal? Perhaps having "liberated" the pin he had sufficient conscience to realise that rig loss was perhaps a tad OTT as payback for being accused of shoutiness on a forum.

Glad to have been of service!

 

[savageseadog]

I concur Ken.

This summer, the boat moored on the pontoon behind me pointed out that not only was the ring clip missing on my back stay, but the pin was halfway out and only just holding the stay.

The chap gave me a spare split pin as I had none and I then immediately wound tape round the fitting to stop any further losses!

Never ever ever use split rings. People think they're secure and handy because you can take them off easily but they're an absolute menace. What seems to happen is a rope will press on a ring thus opening it, the rope will catch on the end and when released will pull out.

Never reuse a split pin.

 

[PetiteFleur]

The ends of the split pin should not be bent at more than a 45 degree angle, doing so actually damages/stresses the metal and they can and do just snap!
I frequently see them curled right round, an accident waiting to happen.

I agree with you that that is the 'recommended' method, but from experience, I DO bend them all round. They are much less likely to be snagged and dragged out accidently. I use new split pins each time and a turnbuckle cover made from 1½" clear plastic hose which is just dropped down over the turnbuckle, held in place by friction. As long as you only use them once the likelyhood of the ends breaking off are very remote(in my opinion - others will/may disagree). I don't use tape around the split pins as it always breaks up, looks tatty and can still get snagged.

 

[maxi77]

First as I was berthed very close to Border Maid I must say 'It wisnay me'. Occasioanlly in my dinghy sailing days we would find that many boats were short of a few split ring from the rigging. Clearly some one with a deviant sense of humour had gone round taking them out.

So far I must admit I have not lost a split pin out of a bottle screw, and I do look at them from time to time

 

[voicilesrosbifs]

words failed me

.... and then there was the Mirage 28 we looked at last year when searching out our first boat. Port side shroud was secured by a rusty bent nail. Owner seemed surprised we didn't fancy a trial sail.....!